Norma Boyer

On August 29, 1927, in Mitchell, Missouri, to Charles and Clara France was born a daughter, Norma Ruth. Charles and Clara were to be blessed with three more children: Melba, Joyce and Paul. When Norma was two months old her parents bought her a piano. Even though a lead miner’s salary during the depression barely kept them going, she was given weekly piano lessons. Norma started playing the piano at Mitchell Baptist Church at age 13 and she played continuously in Church until the age of 83, she continued to play - even in the nursing home - until she died. On February 28, 1948 she married William E. (Bill) Boyer. Bill and Norma had gone to high school together and he was an undertaker and a partner with his father and brother at Bert L. Boyer and Sons Funeral Home in Leadwood, Missouri. In July of 1959, Bill decided to move to Jackson, Tennessee to attend Union University and become a Baptist preacher. So when Bill moved he brought along Norma and their son John, who was 10 years old. The next year they had a daughter who they named Shari (Sharon). Although Norma physically moved with her husband and family around West Tennessee for over 50 years, her heart remained in Missouri with the family she loved so dearly. Norma was preceded in death by her father and mother, Charles and Clara Miller France, her sister Joyce (Mrs. Wayne) Stegall of Bonne Terre, and Melba (Mrs. Marvin) Scott of Desloge. She is survived by her brother Paul B. (and wife Marilyn) France of Farmington, her son John W. of Leadwood Mo., and her daughter Shari (Mrs. James) Powers of Lexington, TN. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Valerie (Mrs. Randy) Combs of Sugar Grove, North Carolina; Rachael Powers of Lexington, TN and Jonathan and numerous great-grandchildren. Norma also leaves many dear nieces and nephews – who she unfortunately never got to see often enough. Visitation for Norma will be Wednesday, May 14 at Reed’s Chapel Funeral Home in Lexington, Tennessee from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m. and will resume on Friday, May 16th from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Boyer’s Funeral Home in Leadwood, Missouri. The funeral will be on Saturday, May 17th at 10 a.m. at Boyer’s in Leadwood. Only in death has Norma’s lifelong wish fulfilled, she is finally home and is surrounded by her family. She will be laid to rest her best friend and sister Melba. Norma’s family would like to especially thank the special people at Tricounty Healthcare Center in Adamsville, David Lewis at Reed’s Chapel and Charlie and Brian Boyer at Boyer’s Funeral Home.

Norma Boyer

August 29, 1927 - May 12, 2014