Jill Ann Norvell's Obituary
Jill Ann Norvell was born in Wichita, KS on September 3rd, 1947, and passed away peacefully at her home on March 15th, 2023.
Mom moved to Longview at an early age and attended Judson schools and graduated in the last graduating class of 1965. She married Henry Glenn Novell in January 1965 and to this union they had their only child together in September 1965.
In the late 60’s to mid 70’s she was an apartment manager at Briar Woods apartments and Treehouse apartments. These years seem to have had more friendships created that would last a lifetime. Friendships quickly grew into gatherings and gatherings gravitated toward camping, get togethers and eventually to a life of water skiing and summer baseball ect. Soon water skiing developed into a passion for the whole family and led to the creation of The Longview Water Ski Club. Competitive water skiing soon followed and many summers of daily water skiing practice led to traveling to tournaments all across Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Although Mom didn’t enjoy the competitive side of water skiing she did enjoy participating in the judging side of the tournaments as well as seeing her new ski family all over these various tournaments. Merrill’s Lake was our skiing home base and friendships grew even stronger and treasured times of her life were bountiful into the early 80’s.
In the early 80’s, Mom and Dad divorced and she became a single parent doing the best she could do raising her son. She somehow managed to get him through High School and even 4 years of college. Although he didn’t live up to expectations, Mom always said her son got the top notch education in Basket Weaving, Archery and Wilderness Survival skills. Mom decided to go into business for herself in the late 80’s and leasing a shop in downtown Longview and called it Treasures at the Uptown Mall. She was very business minded and soon developed her signature characteristics of creating floral arrangements and small to large picture making peoples home décor. She became quite talented with cutting her own glass and turning sticks of picture molding into frames for these pictures. She decided later on she would lake her show on the road and places like Canton TX were the first to try and sell her products. She was a big hit and other locations of craft shows all over the U.S.A. were never to far to travel.
In 1994 Donny met the love of his life, Sharee Parker, and soon Sharee became a Jill favorite. Sharee began helping Mom at the shop and they developed the strongest of bonds. Sharee eventually married her son in 1996. Countless days of preparing for the “next show” went on and on to meet deadlines for the next road trip. Sharee became really popular when she gave Mom two of the most beautiful grandbabies anyone could ever wish for which was Haley Dawn in 1997 soon to be followed by Morgan Skye in 1998. As you probably already know she spoiled them and nothing in her life did she treasure more than these two girls.
The 90’s soon turned to the 2000’s and after countless road trips with Sharee, Donny and several special friends she began to realize that the road life wasn’t going to last forever. She found a normal job and of course made quite an impression there as well. These last 10 or so years she became a staple at the Green Street Senior Center and yes, once again, made herself known as a very unique special person. She always participated in the Senior Summer Show and traveled to Rangers baseball games and even a cruise prior to the Covid time. Of course new friends were made once again and in these last couple of years, she made a dear friend Wanda who helped see through some very difficult days right up to her last day.
Mom must have had a secret arrangement with God because he took her off this earth without any pain, in her restful sleep, at her own home in her own bed. She never was a sickly person so when health started declining about 6 months ago she was truly “ready to go”. All you had to do was ask her and she would tell you she was tired and ready to meet her maker.
She will truly be missed by her Family and Friends.
She has left us with some of the best stories to remember and share with each other.
The family requests that friends join us at the Country Tavern at 12:00 Saturday, March 25th 2023. The gathering will be in their Banquet Room and lunch will be provided. Please come on time as we will order and eat first then share some great memories together.
What’s your fondest memory of Jill?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jill?
Share a story where Jill's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jill you’ll never forget.
How did Jill make you smile?