Norma Jean Bawcom Cates passed away peacefully on April 17, 2015 in Plano, TX. Norma was born July 18, 1935 in Crossett, AR. Her parents were Barney Edward Bawcom and Rubye Mae Williamson Bawcom.
At 13, Norma moved with her family from Montrose, AR to Bastrop, LA. Her parents were the owners of a local grocery store and a gas station. She worked with her parents and her sister in both businesses learning retail skills. After high school, she attended Harding College and transferred to Abilene Christian College and soon met her future husband. Norma married Franklin D Cates in Bastrop, LA on May 31, 1957.
From 1957 to current, Norma and Frank have called many towns their home; Bastrop, LA, Borger TX, Beatrice, NE, Abilene, TX, Sugar Land, TX and Frisco, TX. While in Fritch in the 1960s and 70s, Norma was a mother and homemaker, a member of the Fritch Church of Christ, belonged to various community organizations, a substitute teacher and a member of the local school board. During this same time, she and Frank started a retail business called Norma ETC.
Norma and her family lived in Beatrice, NE form 1979 to 1996. She remained busy with volunteer work for a volunteer non-profit organization that supported the state hospital, Meals on Wheels, and the city hospital. She belonged to various bridge clubs and was an instrumental member of a women’s craft group. Norma was a member of the 10th and Grant Street Church of Christ.
After retirement, Norma and Frank moved Abilene, TX in 1997. She was a member of the University Church of Christ and continued volunteer work with a group of church woman to help with and serve lunches for various college events. Norma and Frank moved to Sugar Land, TX in 1999. Norma was a member of the First Colony Church of Christ. In 2007, they moved to Frisco, TX where she was a member of the McDermott Road Church of Christ.
Norma loved her family and lived for her family. She was the happiest when she was surrounded by her children, her grandchildren and great grandchildren, her sister, her cousins, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews and mostly her husband.
Norma is preceded in death by her parents Barney Edward Bawcom and Rubye Mae (Williamson) Bawcom. Survivors include her husband, Franklin D Cates of Frisco, TX; daughter Lisa Grandmaison of Carrollton, TX and husband Dick; daughter Lynne Bennett of Friendswood, TX and husband Dean; son Warren Cates of Richmond, TX and wife Lisa; and son Brian Cates of Dallas, TX and longtime friend Michael Lagow. She had seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be on Monday, April 20th at Turrentine Jackson Morrow Funeral Home 8520 Main Street, Frisco, Texas 75033 from 6PM to 8PM. Memorial Service will be Tuesday, April 21st at the McDermott Road Church of Christ, 3600 McDermott Road, Plano, Texas 75025 at 11AM. Graveside service and burial will be in Bastrop, Louisiana on Thursday, April 23rd at 10:30AM.
Memorials may be made to a memorial or a foundation of your choice.