Norma Winters

Norma Winters, 90, went to be with the Lord on November 9, 2019. She was an only child born August 5, 1929 in Murrayville, IL to Alvy Lloyd Worrall and Effie Arena Emmons Worrall. She graduated from Roodhouse High School in 1947. Soon after, she married her sailor, Paul Everett Winters on June 6, during his return from Naval service in the South Pacific during WWII and remained so until his death on October 25, 2010. His nickname for her was “Cato”, but as her jobs they called her “Smiley” or “Racehorse” for her big friendly smile and energetic work ethic! While living in Alton, Jerseyville, Delhi, and St. Charles, Mo., you may have seen her working in the Garment Factory or Tri-City and Krogers as Head Checker, at First National Bank as a Tax Assessor, or as a Quality Planner at McDonnell Douglas where she won many awards for her ideas. After retiring, she and Paul loved to camp and became camp ground hosts at Alaska, Daytona Speedway, and Pere Marquette, stating it became a mission for them. While at home in Alton, the Winters loved serving as Foster Grandparents of Alton Elementary, Daycare, and Evangelical School.

Norma professed her faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior on October 13, 1942 and was baptized five days after in the Mill Pond at Athensville. Her favorite verse was Proverbs 3:6, but always referred people to 1 John 5:13 to know for sure they could go to heaven when they died. Her most satisfying feeling came from being able to help someone. She was a current member of Evangelical United Church of Christ in Godfrey.

Mrs. Winters was a devoted wife and mother, taking care of her husband, Paul, through a near death experience with colon-rectal cancer with resulting ostomies at the age of 39, while working to support her family. She saw her own dream of being a nurse fulfilled in her daughter, Pamela (Allan) Howard of Soldotna, Alaska, and of graduating from the University of Illinois fulfilled in her son, Ricky of Alton. She and her husband loved to lead church youth groups and have young people in their home. Soon she and her family welcomed Patrick Raymond (Linda) of Jerseyville into their home as a son and brother, and was proud of his Army service and many other accomplishments.

Besides her children, she is survived by the following grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Pam’s children: Amber (Matt) Fischer and their children Carson, Montana, Hallie, Oliver, Landon, and Simon; Katy (Jesse) Echave and their children Sophie and Mateo, Brittany (Zach) Rice and their child due March 2020; Rick’s children: Leslie (Cory) Spencer and Lauren (Tyler) Murray; Pat’s children: James (Tammy) Raymond and their children Breann and Ryan; Tammy (Burt) Hartley and their children: Nicholas and Anna Marie, and Zach (Heather) Hartley and daughter Ephie; Paul (Annie) Raymond and their children Breanna Thompson and daughter Violet, and Nathaniel.

Mrs. Winters donated her body to St. Louis University School of Medicine and her name will be added to her husband’s headstone at Jefferson Barracks. All are invited to celebrate her life at a memorial service at Evangelical Church of Christ in Godfrey on Friday, November 22, 2019 at 4pm. Memorials may be given to the Church for the H.I.S. and other ministries.

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