Norma Brents

Norma L. Brents, 88, passed away at her daughter’s home in Blue Springs, MO on July 31, 2012 Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday August, 8 2012, at Speaks Suburban Chapel 18020 E. 39th Street, Independence, MO. Visitation will be 9:00-11 a.m. prior to the service.
Norma was born in Independence, MO on June 6, 1924 to Joe L. and Sylvia Allen. She graduated from William Chrisman High School. She married Jess L. Brents, Jr. on April 3, 1942 and was to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary this year. Jess was a career State Farm Insurance agent. They lived in Columbia, MO while Jess completed his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Missouri. She met him in Europe after the war with their daughter, Juanita. They traveled extensively throughout their marriage in the United States and abroad. When her first grandchild Jennifer was born, Norma made the trip alone to Ecuador, to be with her son Charles and daughter-in-law, Fawn who were serving in South America as missionaries. Norma is a Life Member of Beta Sigma Phi International Sorority. She served many offices over her 52 years including: President of Independence, MO Gamma Master Chapter, Vice President, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, and Sorority City Counsel Representative. Her honors were Order of the Rose, Silver Circle, and Golden Circle and she was named “Woman of the Year” in 1996-97. Her current chapter, Torchbearer Zeta will honor her with a memorial ritual at the funeral service. Norma is known and will be remembered for her service to others, her generosity, and her love of children. No one has ever had a bigger heart than Norma. She will be greatly missed.
Norma was preceded in death by her husband Jess in November of 2011. She is survived by her son Charles Brents, her daughter-in-law Fawn Brents, her daughter Juanita Brents and her son-in-law, Robert Brents (nee, Pickell). She also leaves behind three beloved grandchildren, John Brents and his wife Melissa of Lee’s Summit, MO, Jennifer Brents Dove and her husband Bill of Lee’s Summit, MO, and Rebecca Brents of San Diego, CA. and she enjoyed the hugs and love of eight beautiful great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her brother, Alvin Allen, currently of Orlando FL, and her sister, Betty Karr, formally of Warsaw, MO now living in Tacoma, WA.
Memorial contributions may be made in Norma Brents’ name to Compassionate Care Hospice Foundation 11 Independence Way, Newark, DE 19713 or Cardiac Research Institute c/o KU Med Center 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66160.