Elma J. Norris

https://www.facebook.com/providencejonesfamilyfuneralhome/

On Saturday August 8, 2020, precisely at Dawn, Elma Jonell Norris, also known as “Tonkie,” gave up the ghost and left this Earth.  Tonkie’s eldest daughter, Sharion, and her daughter, Kellye were with her at home, holding her close as she breathed her last, in a peaceful transition.

Tonkie was born on February 6, 1930, in Elgin, Texas. Raised on the Lane family farm just past Rattlesnake Hill by parents Frank and Naomi Lane, she was an Elgin High School “Wildcat.” This is where she met and married the love of her life, A.R. McGee Jr. He called her Jo Nell, and she was the prettiest girl he’d ever set eyes on. A.R. was a bit of a wild man with a bad reputation, but he was the only boy in school that had a car. It didn’t take her too long to tame him. It was obviously a match made in heaven, lasting until A.R.’s death in 1998.  Now, their love continues in heaven.

She outlived all her brothers and sisters:  J.T., Clyde, Eldon, Mozelle, and Theo. Their first family vehicle was a buckboard wagon pulled by a mule. (Her last, a Toyota Prius Hybrid. Think about that!) She lived through the Great Depression, World War II, and all the others since then.  She spent her early years as a working mother, cutting hair and doing “perms” to put her husband through college and the Baptist seminary, making it possible for him to become a church pastor.

Tonkie’s life was one of constant service and love. As “the preacher’s wife” and later as the alto singer in a gospel group called “Heaven Bound,” Tonkie was a constant source of comfort for the congregations they served around Texas.  I don’t think she had an enemy in her entire life.

She is survived by 3 children Sharion, Gregory and Lezlea, bunches of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mom, Tonkie, Jo Nell, Elma… we will miss your presence greatly.  You will live forever in our hearts as a shining example of how to live ones life with love and compassion for all.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 13, at 10 AM at the Providence Funeral Home in Elgin, Texas. Tonkie would prefer that you make a donation to the Bastrop Community Senior Center in lieu of flowers.  You can do that by mail (1209 Linden St # 1, Bastrop, TX 78602 ,) or drop your donation in the bucket we’ll have at the service.

604 State Hwy 95, Elgin, TX 78621. Phone : (512) 281-2340 .

The casket will be open for the public on Wednesday evening, August 12, from 6 – 8 PM.

After the funeral, we will have a short graveside service at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery on Pleasant Grove Loop, just east of Elgin.  229 Pleasant Grove Loop, Elgin, TX 78621

You can follow us out there.

Family and friends will then meet at Southside Bar-B-Que and Market on US 290 in Elgin for a casual lunch to enjoy some of Tonkie’s favorite food:  Elgin Hot Guts.  (They serve other stuff too.) You are welcome to join us to feast on this Texas delicacy, tell tall tales, and celebrate a life well-lived