Norma Jean Marks' Obituary
Norma Jean (Henry) Marks was born New Madrid, MO. on December 30, 1939 to Clem Jr. and Edith Henry. Norma was the second of ten children; the tenth child was still born. The remaining nine children consisted of six girls and three boys. Norma was a pleasant, thoughtful and caring daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, and grandmother. Her foundation was her family. Norma was known for her patience and strong work ethic in everything that she set out to do. She role modeled the behaviors she wanted to see and always had a kind word.
Education was a foundational part of the family. Her grandmother was a principal at a nearby school who instilled the value and need for education in her children and her grandchildren. Norma and her siblings understood the value of education and several, including Norma, became educators themselves. Norma graduated from O’Bannon High School in 1958 and went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in Education from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO. In 1980, Norma received her Masters of Arts degree in Human Development Counseling from Sangamon State University in Springfield, Il. She continued her formal education by amassing an additional 48 hours of study throughout her career. She was a lifetime member of Phi Delta Kappa International and received many accolades throughout her career including teacher of the year and teacher of excellence awards.
While teaching in New Madrid, Norma met Roman Marks at friend’s party. She sat down to play cards but didn’t know how to play, so Roman sat with her and taught her how to play with the group. The following day, they went on a picnic which was the start of their relationship. Roman and Norma wed in 1965 and welcomed their first son, Roman Alexander Marks Jr. in 1966. In 1969, Roman and Norma (8 years into her teaching career) decided that they wanted to move North for greater opportunities for their family. Roman was able to find a job in Decatur, Il so the family moved to their new destination and found a home where they would live for the next 40 years. Norma was able to secure employment in District 61 as a teacher. In 1973, Roman and Norma welcomed their second son Christopher Elliot Marks. Norma primarily taught 4th grade with a few stints teaching 3rd and 5th, and 6th graders. She had a natural ability to connect with the kids in those age groups due her patience and teaching style. She cared about all of her students and kept a photo album with every class picture throughout her career. Norma was featured in the publication Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers in 1998. To be included in this publication, a teacher must be nominated by one or more former students who are considered in the top 5% academically at the high school and collegiate level across the country. Those students were asked to identify the educator that contributed the most toward their academic success. Norma made this impact on students at the elementary level which is an extraordinary accomplishment.
Norma liked to stay active and had many hobbies. She taught her sons how to play sports and she never missed a game. Her hobbies included bike riding, walking, gardening, baking, and macrame’. She had many plants that she would have at home during the summer that she would place on the window sills throughout the school. Norma really enjoyed baking different types of desserts around the holidays that her family enjoyed. Through macrame’, she made many different types of blankets, hanging flower pots and shelves, and she enjoyed sharing her work with friends and family. She also had a love for music. There was always music playing in the house from the radio or from the hundreds of records that her and Roman accumulated through the years. Later in life Norma started piano lessons and she also started to paint to pass the time.
Norma was a devoted Christian and active and dedicated member of St. Thomas Catholic Church where she served many roles within the church family. She was soft spoken, kind hearted and a caring individual who believed in fairness for all. She was beloved by all of those who met her. She loved her family dearly and cherished her time with her husband, children, and with her siblings and their families. She also had the opportunity to meet and enjoy her two grandchildren, Cai and Christopher.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents Clem and Edith Henry, siblings Clementine, Frederick, Bobby, and Mary, Husband Roman, and son Roman A. Marks Jr. She is survived by her son Christopher (Courtney), siblings Betty, Dorothy, Jackie, and Clem III, grandchildren Cai and Christopher, and host of nieces and nephews.
Teacher
You are not the kind
Of teacher
Who only teaches the things
On written pages
You’ve taught me how
To live my life
And how to think
For myself.
I can never repay you
I can only thank you
And try to make you
Proud of me.
But I want you to know
That whatever I become,
However far I go in life.
I owe so much to you.
You are a treasure,
Never to be forgotten.
-Unknown
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