NORMA JEAN DORRIS

Norma Jean Dorris, 86, of Canton, Mo, died December 6, 2015 at the Maple Lawn Nursing Home.

Norma Jean was born January 1, 1929 in Arkansas City, KS, to the late Havilah (Ike) and Sarah Mitchell Hockett. She married Bill Dorris on February 20, 1948, in Piggot, AR. Bill survives.

She was a stay at home mom until 1967 when she began her college education. She graduated from Culver-Stockton in 1971 and began teaching at Canton R-V. Norma Jean taught fifth and sixth grade science and language arts for 20 years. During that tenure, she obtained in Masters of Education Degree. She was asked to present at the N S T A (National Science Teachers Association) conference in St. Louis. She also traveled abroad for a two-week study program in England.

Norma Jean had other interest, which she applied herself with the same perfectionist as she did with her teaching. She became an EMT in 1982 and worked on the Lewis County Ambulance for many years and also was a CPR instructor. She sang with the Sweet Adeline’s group located in Canton. Norma Jean was an amazing seamstress and quilter. She also enjoyed taking her oldest grandson and traveling across the United States to visit her sisters.

Norma Jean was a member of the Immanuel United Methodist Church in Canton, MO.

She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star for over 50 years, and also a member of Canton’s P.E.O.

She is survived by her three children, Mike Dorris of Mary Esther, FL and his son, Bill Dorris of Okinawa, Japan; Glenn (Marleece) Dorris and their children Grant and Conner of Littleton, CO; Sally Dorris of Palmyra; one sister, Ruth Curtis of Everett, WA, and two nieces and six nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her in-laws, Bill and Ethel Dorris; two sisters and brother-in-laws, Leona and Kenneth Robuck; Lois and George Brown and their son David ; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Louise and John Mitchell; and brother-in-law George Curtis and his son Richard.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 10 a.m. at Immanuel United Methodist Church in Canton with Pastor Harry Cooper and Pastor Paul Smith officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, December 11, 2015 from 4 until 8:00 p.m. with an Eastern Star Service to be held at 3:30 p.m. at the Davis Funeral Home in Canton. Music: Karla McReynolds, Organist and Jane Pollett, Violinist. Pallbearers: Bill Dorris, Glenn Dorris, Mike Dorris, Conner Dorris, Grant Dorris and Steve Mitchell. Honorary Pallbearers: Jean and George Calvert, Bud and Mary Scranton, Quilting Group and Colleen Feldkamp.

Burial will be in Forest Grove Cemetery in Canton.

The family suggests memorials be made to Culver Stockton College or to Immanuel United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be left at www.davis-fh.com.