Norma Imalou Griffin McNew

Norma Imalou Griffin McNew departed this life on March 10, 2015 in Greenville, Texas. She was born on August 15, 1919 in Pleasant Hill Community near Hatfield, Arkansas to William Albert and Minnie Ola Moore Griffin. She married Leister Doyne McNew on January 12, 1942 in De Queen, Arkansas. Dr. McNew, Professor Emeritus at East Texas State University (now Texas A&M University-Commerce), preceded her in death on September 18, 2002. She is survived by three children: Dr. Barry McNew and wife, Dinah; Dr. Martha McNew Foote and husband, John; and, Rosalie McNew Hill and husband, Ronnie. Also surviving are grandchildren: Heather McNew Carter and husband, Joel; Seth McNew and wife, Katie; Rachel Foote Carter and husband, Chris; Parker Foote and fiancée, Jade; Greg Hill; Luke Hill; and Olivia Hill. Additionally, surviving are six great-grandchildren: Griffin Carter, Mary Clay Carter, and Eliza Carter, children of Heather and Joel Carter; William McNew, son of Seth and Katie McNew; and, Hunter Carter and Macauley Carter, daughters of Rachel and Chris Carter. Mrs. McNew is survived by one sister, Kathleen Gray; one brother-in-law, Dr. Ben B. McNew; her beloved caregiver, Charlotte Gadlin and special weekend caregiver, Carol Harrison; nieces, Margaret Ann Griffin Goss, Nancy Griffin Steele, Kathy Gray Watson, Terry Gray Morrison, Tyler Gray Stoker, and Bonnie McNew Brenkert; nephews, William Albert Griffin, Earl Stephen Hines, and William (Bill) McNew; and a host of other loving family and friends. Preceding her in death were her parents; one brother, William Alton Griffin; sisters-in-law, Ella Pauline McNew Hines, Margaret Griffin, and Bonnie Stone McNew; brothers-in-law, Ted Gray and Earl Seastrunk Hines, and two nieces, Rosemary Elizabeth Hines and Kathleen McNew Campbell. Mrs. McNew was valedictorian of the 1937 Hatfield Arkansas High School graduating class and earned her bachelor's degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She was a math teacher in her younger years. Norma was a devoted wife, mother, and Babba (grandmother) and also a talented seamstress, pianist, and cook. Norma was an avid reader and enjoyed crossword puzzles which she and her husband did together each day at lunch for over 30 years. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Commerce and the Dough Rollins Sunday School class for 53 years; and sometimes played piano for early church. She was also a member of the University Dames Club, the Delphian Club, United Methodist Women, numerous PTAs, and the Eastern Star. Pallbearers include Seth McNew, Parker Foote, Greg Hill, Luke Hill, Chris Carter, and Eric Brenkert. Members of the Dough Rollins Sunday School class are Honorary Pallbearers. Services will be Monday, March 16, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church in Commerce with visitation at 1 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall and the funeral service at 2 p.m. in the sanctuary. Services are being officiated by Dr. Gregory S. Neal and the eulogy will be given by the Honorable Earl S. Hines, nephew of the deceased. Burial will be in Rosemound Cemetery in Commerce. Services are under the direction of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home in Greenville. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Commerce; or to the L. Doyne and Norma McNew Scholarship Fund at Texas A&M University-Commerce, P.O. Box 3011, Commerce, Texas 75429.