Norma Jean Stewart

NORMA JEAN STEWART passed away on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at the age of 80. Born February 15, 1932 in Okmulgee Oklahoma, Norma Jean, ‘Jinx’ Jennings grew up in the hard years of the depression, dust bowl and WWII. She was principally raised by her Grandmother Ella Carpenter, who came to Oklahoma in a covered wagon during the land run of 1897. Norma Jean carried the courage and conviction she learned from her pioneering grandmother throughout her life. As a cheerleader for the Okmulgee bulldogs, she met her future husband Fred ‘Stu’ Stewart who was the star basketball player for the rival Tulsa Central High School. After attending Oklahoma A&M College they married in a military wedding on August 22, 1954 at the Old Post Chapel on Fort Sill in Lawton Oklahoma. Their first child, Christopher Bryan was born June 1, 1955 at the Fort Sill Army hospital. She raised her young family as a military wife stationed in Bamberg and Frankfurt Germany, Birmingham Alabama and San Antonio Texas. She dedicated her life to raising her four boys and loved nothing more than cheering them on at the many athletic events she proudly attended. She was affectionately called “mom” by all of her kids’ friends and loved by all who knew her. The most important thing to Norma Jean was family. After her boys had left the house and started their own lives, she dedicated her attention to caring for her aging Aunt Mary and her own mother. Aunt Mary moved in with Fred and Norma Jean after they relocated to Chicago, where Norma Jean took care of her until her death at 95. After her Aunt had passed, she moved on to taking care of her aging mother in Kerrville, Texas. After retirement, she and Stu moved to Houston to be near three of their sons and the new pride and joy of her life, her two grandkids, Hunter and Chad II. There was nothing she would not do for those boys and they loved her very much. The time they spent with their grandmother will always be remembered fondly. The last few years of her life passed peacefully while she suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. She was tenderly cared for by her devoted husband. She died peacefully in her sleep next to the man that she loved. She was predeceased by her parents Roy and Elizabeth Jennings and her dearly loved little brother Joe Allen Jennings. She is survived by her beloved husband of 57 years Fred E. Stewart Jr. and the pride and joy of her life, her four sons Chris, Chuck, Craig and Chad and two grandsons Chad and Hunter. The family will be present to receive friends on Tuesday evening, April 17, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM with a Rosary being recited at 7:00 PM in the Chapel of D.M. Dettling Funeral Directors. The Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday morning, April 18, 2012 at 10:30 AM at St. John Vianney Catholic Church. A private interment will be held at VA Houston National Cemetery.

Norma Jean Stewart

February 15, 1932 - April 11, 2012