Norma Jean Griffith, 90

A graveside funeral service for Norma Jean Griffith, 90, of Ava, was held Sept. 18, 2023, at the Griffith Cemetery on County Road 873 off Highway 95 in Thornfield with Pastor Tim Reese officiating. 

She died Sept. 14, at Gainesville Health Care Center with her son David and daughter-in-law Tracy by her side. Norma was born Feb. 14, 1933, in Pondfork to Clarence and Bernie (Haskins) Sallee.   

On Oct. 12, 1951, Norma and Leslie Griffith were married at Mountain Home, Arkansas. They had one son, David.

Norma was a retired school teacher. She started her teaching career in a one room schoolhouse. The schools she taught the longest at were Bradleyville and Ava. Norma received her bachelor of science degree in education from the Springfield Normal College (now known as Missouri State University) and then a masters degree in education from Drury University in Springfield. Her favorite part of teaching was reading and writing. 

Norma was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan, and she loved road trips across the country. She enjoyed going to national parks with her family. Norma loved cooking and looked forward to Thanksgiving each year so she could make her famous cornbread dressing. 

Norma’s joy was her family. She was a Christian and a member of the Ava General Baptist Church. Her faith was strong and every night she read her devotionals and shared that with her family.

Norma is survived by her son David Griffith and his wife, Tracy; grandchildren Hannah Griffith and Devin Griffith; sisters Imogene Ewing and Janiss Bryant; many nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Evelyn Hanoch; and her husband Leslie in 1999.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Griffith Cemetery, P.O. Box 244, Thornfield, MO 65762.