Norma John

Norma Dee Carroll John, 87, passed away on December 17, 2013, after a long struggle with an aging body, and now is in the presence of her Savior. Norma was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Edward Harrison and Mary Pauline Higgins Carroll, on February 20, 1926, with her father being a candy maker. In the depth of the Great Depression, all the Carrolls, including aunts and uncles, became part of the great Dust Bowl migration of Oklahomans to California settling in the San Diego area (El Cajon and Lemon Grove) where Norma finished her education at San Diego High and Grossmont High, El Cajon. After finishing high school, and with the United States in the depth of World War II, Norma, like so many other women like her, went to work in the arms factories there in San Diego, first serving as a riveter on an aircraft assembly line and then winding electric motors for ships. During this time, it was common place for the Carrolls to attend weekly barn dances, where Norma met her husband to be, Charles Bedford John, a Naval Aviation Cadet, stationed in San Diego. At the close of World War II, and after a year of correspondence, Norma agreed to marry Charles and boarded a plane for Waxahachie, Texas, sight unseen, where she and Charles were married at the First Christian Church, and then moved to Austin, Texas for Charles to attend the University of Texas, or as we say, "The University". After graduation, Norma and Charles went on an odyssey of moves, with three children in tow, from Texas, then to California, Louisiana, New Mexico, and finally to Oklahoma where they retired. All along the way Norma was able to enjoy her passion for art and calligraphy while making a home for a husband and three children and earning an Associate Degree at the Tulsa Community College. Norma, at an early age, became a believer in Jesus Christ who shaped her life and trust in that..."God so loved this world that He gave His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ, that whosoever believes in Him, will not perish but have eternal life with God the Father." Norma, with her husband, were active in many churches teaching both adults and children the wonders and truths of God's written Word and salvation through His Son Jesus Christ, mirroring God's love to their three children, who each are now believers in Jesus Christ. Mother will be greatly missed in the coming years but we are assured that she now resides in the presence of both God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son for eternity with those other fellow believers in Jesus Christ whom have preceded her in death and, most importantly, her husband of 50+ years whom she so dearly missed these 8 years and with whom she is now reunited once again. Norma is survived by her children: Faith Houck, Hope Vail and husband Rev. James R. Vail, and Forrest B. John and wife Rhoda; her grandchildren: Heather and husband Travis, Holly and husband Steve, David and wife Maria, and Samuel; her great-grandchildren: Bethany, Timothy, Landon, Olivia, River, Hudson, and Finn; and her sister Betty Lee Perez and children Tristan and Mark. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Bedford John; father and mother, Edward Harrison and Mary Pauline Higgins Carroll, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. A graveside service is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 22, 2013 at the Waxahachie City Cemetery with Rev. Bruce Zimmerman officiating. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Waxahachie Bible Church at P.O. Box 826, Waxahachie, TX 75168 or North Ellis County Outreach (Food Bank)at P.O. Box 2203, Red Oak, TX 75154.

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