Norma Huff Phillips' Obituary
Norma Jean Huff, Norma Jean Phillips, Norma H. Phillips, Momma, MawMaw. These were the names of the beautiful woman born on December 26, 1928 in Osage, Texas to Charles Leonard and Ida Belle Huff. For those who don’t know, Osage is about halfway between Ocee, Tx. and Coryell City Tx. That should clear up any confusion. One of four sisters, including Vala Dee, Billie Doris and Patti Lynn, she graduated with honors from Crawford High School in 1945. She married Roy Mitchell Phillips, Jr. on June 1, 1947 and they lived in Gatesville, Texas for over 20 years. Norma and Roy had two children, Michael Steven and Susan Kay Phillips. She has 4 grandchildren, Jonathan Alexander Phillips, Patrick Kyle McKissack, Cory Scott McKissack and Christopher Ryan McKissack. She also has 4 great grandchildren, Carley Danielle Phillips, Abigail Rebecca Phillips, Emma Grace Phillips and Zander Michael Phillips, and one on the way to Kyle and Laura McKissack. Her early married life was spent as a homemaker and mom, until 1963 when she and her husband opened the first Dairy Mart restaurant in the Central Texas area. She ran this Gatesville institution with professionalism and a personal touch that kept customers coming back for years. The Dairy Mart also gave her the opportunity to instill the ethic of a fair day’s work for no pay (except for free burgers and ice cream) in her children. In 1970, Norma and her family moved to Garland, Texas, where her husband Roy began work at the Dallas Bulk Mail Center. Several years later, Norma was employed by the FastTax company, where she made many friendships, not a few of which have lasted to this day. In the 1990’s, Norma’s daughter, Susan, was stricken with an aggressive form of Multiple Sclerosis. As Susan’s illness progressed, Norma, now a doting MawMaw to 4 grandchildren, recalibrated her life again. She became Susan’s full-time caregiver, opening her home and her heart until Susan’s passing in 2006. If that weren’t enough, she also became a second mother and mentor to Susan’s three young sons, in effect raising a second family. If you would like to check out how well she did, Kyle, Cory and Chris are here today for your evaluations. Norma touched lives for over 86 years during her journey, beginning as a country farm girl all the way to being a professional MawMaw in the big city. There was none like her before and none like her will ever be. On this day we, her family and friends, cherish the memory of Norma Jean Huff Phillips and stand counted as a visible legacy to a life well lived. Visition will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Sunday, October 4, 2015 at Restland Funeral Home. Service will be held at 3:00 PM Monday, October 5, 2015 at the Abbey Chapel. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243 at Restland Road.
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