Velma Norton Obituary

Velma Jo Norton, 85, of Piercetown, passed away at home on Monday, November 18. She was born on December 10, 1938, in Vendor, to Garland and Nancy Criner Smith.
Velma was a lifelong and faithful member of Big Creek Assembly of God in Vendor.  She was  dedicated to her community, serving as an employee of the Eastern Newton County Water Association for 35 years, a role she embraced with passion and commitment. She had a deep love for connecting with others and cherished her time visiting with friends and neighbors at Norton's Country Store where she worked for over 40 years.
Family and church were at the heart of Velma's life. She found joy in preparing meals for her loved ones and especially treasured the tradition of Sunday dinners, where laughter and love filled the table. Her great-grandchildren brought her immense happiness, and she delighted in babysitting and spending time with them.  She will be fondly remembered by her kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, and many of her close friends as ""the boss"" and ""the smartest woman in the world,"" nicknames that caused her to give ""the look.""
Velma's warmth, kindness, and devotion to her family and community will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Kenneth Smith and Carl Smith; 3 sisters-in-law, Lorene Smith, Barbara Smith, and Wardena Smith; and niece, Melinda Cook.  She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Gerald Norton; son, Greg Norton (Christy); daughter, Pam Grice (Greg); five grandchildren, Tyler Norton (Bailey), Katie Oakes (Dustin), Matt Grice, Ben Grice (Jaimie), and Nick Grice (Ally); eleven great grandchildren; two brothers, Denver Smith (Jo), and Jerry Smith (Jovita); and one sister, Beverly Bryant (Murl).
Pallbearers will be Greg Grice, Tyler Norton, Dustin Oakes, Matt Grice, Ben Grice, Nick Grice.  Honorary Pallbearers are nieces and nephews and her co-workers at ENCWA.  
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, November 21, at Big Creek Assembly of God in Vendor with Rev. Don Lane and Donnie Smith officiating.  Burial will follow at Smith Cemetery in Vendor under the direction of Holt Memorial Chapel.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 20, from 5-7 p.m. at Holt Memorial Chapel in Harrison.
In her memory, donations may be made to Smith Cemetery.   The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.HoltChapel.com.