Norine Jones (Smith)

A. Norine Jones, 92, passed away on January 11, 2021 in Independence, MO with her family by her side.

Norine was born on November 25, 1928 in Cassville, MO, the youngest of four children to Linzie Smith and Mattie Robbins Smith. She was a graduate of Exeter High School where she was a champion high-jumper. She met Delmar Jones on a very memorable blind date – he took her horseback riding on his horse named “Seldom Fed,” and they came upon a creek. When Seldom Fed leaned down to get a drink, Delmar fell off the horse and into the water below. After hours of belly laughter and a short courtship, they married on October 18, 1947, and together set off for the big city.

In 1948 Norine began working for Sears, Roebuck, & Co. as a supervisor of timekeeping for the mail order department and Delmar worked for GM. During the Korean War, he was sent to Japan from 1951-1953. When he returned home, they began a family and were blessed with two daughters, Patricia & Kathy. Delmar and Norine were exemplary parents – they were kind, loving, loyal, and faithfully dedicated to their Lord and to their family.

After Norine’s retirement in 1990, she and Delmar focused on traveling the countryside, from coast to coast and even north to Canada and Alaska. To reconnect and to socialize with others, they would go to retiree gatherings and to gospel shows in Arkansas and Missouri. They were both longtime members of Six Mile Baptist Church – Norine was a choir leader and Sunday School secretary and Delmar was a deacon and Sunday School superintendent. At home, Norine loved to create a bird oasis in her yard, including setting up feeders, houses, and baths. She took the vegetable harvest Delmar grew and canned it for later use. Her culinary skills could not be beat; her secret ingredients were love and a pinch of sugar.

Norine’s family and friends will always remember how she never backed down from a challenge. She was independent, intelligent, gracious, and always had time to talk, listen, or give a witty remark. She will be dearly missed by so many.

Survivors include her two daughters Patty Keever (husband Jerry) and Kathy Mosley (husband Danny); grandchildren Angela Hughs (husband Thorpe) and Justin Billingsley (wife Megan); great-granddaughters Antoinette Hoke and Alexis Stapleton; step-great-grandson Dekota Austin (wife Paula); step-great-granddaughter Lindsay Austin; step-great-great-grandson D.J. Austin; sisters-in-law Carolyn Charles and Lola Smith; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Delmar Jones; parents Linzie and Mattie Smith; and three siblings Harold Smith, Grace Keeran and Hollis Smith. In her honor, the family suggests contributions to the church.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arr: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)