Norma Rae Emarthla Ross ”1939 - 2024”

Norma Rae Emarthla Ross

Never take life for granted. Savor every sunrise, because no one is promised tomorrow or even the rest of today. Eleanor Brownn

Norma Rae Emarthla Ross, 85, of Neosho MO, passed away Nov 18th, 2024 at the home of her son & daughter in law, Jay and Jeana Ross. Norma was born June 26, 1939 in Tahlequah, OK to Walter and Lillian Emarthla. She grew up in Cardin, OK and attended school in Picher, OK graduating in 1958. She soon met and married the love of her life, Jackie D Ross, on Dec 26th, 1958. They had one son, Jay D Ross in Oct 1959. Norma decided to go to college as a non-traditional student and graduated Summa cum laude from OBU with a BSN as an RN. She first worked for Jane Phillips in Bartlesville, Ok. When her family moved to Coffeyville, KS in 1974, she went to work for Coffeyville Regional Medical Center. In 1978, Norma and Jack moved to Joplin MO where they owned New Aire Fireplace Mnfg Co. Norma started working for St John's(now Mercy) in CCU and later Behavioral Health. She was Assistant Director of Nursing for 10 years at Spring River Christian Village in Joplin when it first opened until she left to work full time in Behavioral Health at St Johns. around 2004, Norma moved with her husband Jack to Mesa, Az in 2004 and worked for Desert Medical Center. Upon their return to the MO/Ok area in 2009, she returned to work for St John's in Behavioral Health and remained there until July 2018 when her health forced her retirement. She turned 79 in June and was still working 3-5, 12 hour night shifts a week. Her dedication went above and beyond, because she loved what she did and the people she worked with. When she wasn't working, she loved to travel all over the world with Jack. She especially loved the family vacations with her son's family, and great grandchildren. She also loved to play Bingo and go gambling both in Las Vegas and locally. Over the years, she collected antiques and shared her love for antiques with her daughter in law, who soon became her "partner in crime" at many auctions and flea markets. She was predeceased by her parents, husband Jack, sisters Pauline Conner, Clarabelle McCelland, Kitty Shoptese, brother Walter(Sonny) Emarthla,jr, several brothers & sisters in law, nieces & nephews. Resource: Ancestry.com

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