Norma J. Unruh

Norma J. Unruh was born on August 12, 1929 to Albert and Alice Unruh at Ulysses, Kan. She peacefully passed away at Baptist Memorial Hospital, Columbus, Miss., on September 1, 2018 at the age of eighty-nine.

Our Mother spent her childhood years in the Ulysses, Kan. area and moved with her parents to Halstead, Kan, in her mid-teens. On August 15, 1948, she married our father, Melvin Unruh. They shared life’s experiences for more than sixty-six years. To this union were born five sons and one daughter. She found the Lord, and together with her husband, she became a member of Church in God in Christ, Mennonite, at the Grace Congregation, Halstead, Kan. She remained faithful to these vows to the end.

As children, we remember her being a stay-at-home Mom who was content to take care of the many mundane tasks and responsibilities at raising a family. Since our dad was a day-laborer, it was Mom’s job to manage the small dairy and large garden projects that they had to teach us children good work ethics.

Our parents moved from Halstead to Macon, Miss. in 1978. They retired to Oakwood Manor in Brooksville, Miss. in 2013.

In December 2017, Mom had a serious fall which caused a steady decline in her health and resulted with a need for full-care. We moved her to the Noxubee County Nursing Home in Macon. She patiently bore her limitations without complaining and always greeted us with her smile. She often expressed her desire to go home. She was admitted to the Baptist-Memorial CCU unit on August 28 because of an acute change in her health. While in the CCU unit Mom again expressed her desire to go home and we finally realized she was meaning her heavenly home.

Those left to cherish her memories are sons: Barry and wife, Ruth, Columbus, Miss.; Daniel and wife, Trula, Gentry, Ark.; Gordon, Siloam Springs, Ark.; James and wife, Regina, Crawford, Miss.; David, Sioux Falls, SD; and daughter: Jeanette, Macon, Miss.; 14 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, sister-in-law, Della, Halstead, Kan. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister, Maxine Schroeder and brother, Gary Unruh.

The family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation for the loving care she received during the last eight months.
A funeral service is planned for Tuesday, September 4, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at Brooksville Mennonite Church in Brooksville, MS. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church Monday, September 3, 2018 from 6-8 p.m. Memorials may be made to Oakwood Manor, 55 Oakwood Drive, Brooksville, MS  39739.