Norma Jean Martin, 80, St. Joseph, Missouri, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 7, 2025, surrounded by her family.
She was born May 21, 1945 in Bethany, Missouri, to Orval and Bertha (Vandivert) Stewart. The family lived in several towns before settling down in St. Joseph, where she graduated from Central High School.
On May 8, 1970, Norma Jean married J. Edward Martin. He preceded her in death on September 21, 2003.
She was a nurse’s aide at the Methodist Hospital Pediatric Unit for several years. After her children were older, she worked for several church daycares.
Norma Jean was active in Patee Park Baptist Church for many years, where she was a Sunday School teacher, worked in the church food pantry, and fulfilled her love of music by singing in the choir and directing the children’s choir. She also cooked meals for church events.
Scrapbooking was Norma Jean’s passion, and she also enjoyed butterflies (especially purple ones), and cooking. The family maintains she made the “best fried chicken ever.” She loved to watch “The Pioneer Woman” cooking show and even made the trip to Oklahoma to tour the farm where the show was set, which was a highlight of her life.
Most of all, Norma Jean was a very welcoming, caring, loving person, who helped raise her youngest sister and was a “second mom” to many nieces, nephews, and others. She leaves a legacy of this love and caring for her family to treasure.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, J. Edward; and her parents.
Survivors include her children, Brian Martin (Ruthanna) and Kim Chrisman (Jeremy); grandchildren, Sarah Miller (Gabe), Brandon Martin, and Cole Chrisman; great-grandson, Malachi Miller; siblings, Jimmie Stewart (Barbara), Sheryl Helsel (Ed), Karen Bohot (Bobby), and Robert Melvin Stewart (Linda); numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Farewell Services and Public Livestream 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends one hour prior to the service. The family suggests memorial contributions to Patee Park Baptist Church Food Pantry or the American Diabetes Association.
