Norma Woodcox

All who knew Norma J. Woodcox would agree that she was one of the sweetest people around. She could be a bit feisty when it came to things she was passionate about, and her commitment to her community was easy too see. Always up for a new adventure, Norma saw so many of the most beautiful places around the world, but what made these experiences so extraordinary was sharing them with her friends and loved ones. Although she will be deeply missed, she leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that her loved ones will forever hold near and dear to their hearts.

The year 1929 is often recalled as the year of the historic stock market crash that sent our nation and much of the world spiraling down into the depths of the Great Depression. Although the 1920s were primarily prosperous years, the 1930s were drastically different as a soaring unemployment rate left countless American families struggling to make ends meet. It was just prior to the stock market crash that Harry and Gladys (Trumbull) Woodcox were eagerly awaiting the birth of their new baby in Branch County, Michigan. The big day finally arrived on May 9, 1929, when the baby girl they named Norma drew her first breath. She was the seventh of eight children in her family as she was joined in the Woodcox clan by her older siblings, Roy, Ellen, Emmett, Virginia, Leo, and Wilbur, and her younger sister, Maxine. Her father worked as a farmer while her mother was a busy homemaker. Norma attended local schools where she played softball. It was later in life when she earned her GED in 1974, and she also attended Parsons Business College.

Norma made her career at Simpson Paper Mill in Vicksburg. She spent more than 40 years there until retiring. It was there that she met Doris Grinder in 1948, and they became fast friends. Companions for the rest of their lives, they shared so many of the most amazing things together. They were both free-spirited adventurers who shared a love for traveling. They traveled the world visiting all 50 states plus numerous countries including a cruise to Alaska and stay in Hawaii. They also went to places like Utah and California, took a train trip across Canada, and also experienced Switzerland. Together Norma and Doris were part of a travel group and did monthly luncheons with this group in Battle Creek. They especially loved going out to eat together. Rise n’ Dine in Vicksburg, Fisher Lake Inn, and Joy Fong were among their favorite restaurants. As much as Norma loved traveling, she also loved their little town of Vicksburg. Together she and Doris could often be found riding their bikes around the town they were so passionate about.

Throughout her life Norma was a woman of many interests. Although she enjoyed traveling, she also enjoyed being home and was so proud of the home she cared for. One of her favorite things to do was to get up in the morning and feed the birds. Norma enjoyed watching sports on television, but she was especially an avid fan of the Detroit Tigers. In fact, for years they went down to Florida for spring training. They also loved to watch the Detroit Lions and Pistons. They not only watched every game but could tell you the stats on every player and tell the coaches what they needed to do to win the game. Both she and Doris also liked watching the kids in their family and their events. When attending family events, Norma’s favorite dish to bring was always her broccoli salad. She liked Western music, and for years she enjoyed bowling. traveling, sports, family and friendships were their passions in life.

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Norma Woodcox was a blessing in the lives of everyone she met. She was loving and funny with a spirit of adventure that sent her traveling all over the country and even abroad. Norma was a hardworking woman who was content in whatever life brought. She will never be forgotten.

Norma Woodcox, of Vicksburg passed away on Friday, January 20, 2017. Norma is survived by her sister: Maxine (Lawrence) Stoy-Burch, of Fremont, IN, and numerous nieces and nephews. Norma was preceded in death by her companion, Doris Grinder; parents; and siblings: Roy Woodcox, Ellen Smith, Emmett Woodcox, Virginia Wooster, Leo Woodcox, and Wilbur Woodcox. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, 409 S. Main Vicksburg (269-649-1697). A funeral service will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial at Vicksburg Cemetery. Please visit the webpage for Norma at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read their life stories, sign the guestbook, share a memory and/or photo. Those who wish may make contributions to Generous Hands and/or The Vision Campaign (Vicksburg Bike Trail).