Thelma Kay Norton, 66, of Memphis, Missouri, passed away Friday, January 3, 2025, at the Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Illinois.

Thelma was born on July 10, 1958, in Durango, Colorado, the daughter of Clarence Martin and Nelda Genice Gray Allen.

Her parents moved to Northeast Missouri in 1971, and she graduated from Clark County High School in the Class of 1976. She continued her education at Southeast Iowa Community College in Keokuk, Iowa, where she graduated as an LPN and received her RN degree from Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa.

On October 16, 1982, near Memphis, Missouri, Thelma married Randy Dean Norton and to this union two children were born.

As a teenager, Thelma worked at the Clark County Nursing Home which began her long career as a dedicated nurse. She began her nursing career at the Scotland County Hospital while also working at the Scotland County Care Center.  She then worked for Dr. John Sparks Clinic in Edina and Northeast Missouri Health Council in both Memphis and Kirksville. She worked as a paramedic with the Scotland County Ambulance, and as a flight nurse for Air-Evac. before returning to Scotland County Hospital. Thelma then worked as ER Supervisor and then as Employee Health Nurse and Clinical IT when her health failed. During her free time, she served as Deputy Coroner for Scotland County Coroner Jeff Davis.

She enjoyed teaching CPR Classes and continuing education classes for medical personnel; but most of all she loved spending time with her granddaughters, friends, and drinking her black coffee.

Thelma is survived by her husband of over forty years, Randy Norton of Memphis, Missouri; two children, Lanea and Bryan Whitney of Memphis, Missouri, and Lance Norton and Jeanette Scheurman of Springfield, Illinois; granddaughters Hannah and Emma Whitney; a brother, Marty and Tina Allen of Arkansas; a sister, Donna Ash of Wayland, Missouri; along with numerous brother and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and friends, including her best friend, Teresa Rockhold of Arbela, Missouri.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Nelda Allen; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Don and Eulene Norton; a brother, Perry Allen; a brother-in-law, Scott Ash; and her best friend in life, Ginny Monroe.

Her wishes were to be cremated and her ashes scattered by her family.

Thelma's family will receive friends on Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Boyer Events Center in Memphis, Missouri.

An expression of sympathy in memory of Thelma Norton may be left to fund a Scholarship in Nursing in her name, with the Scotland County High School. A memorial may be left at or mailed to the Memphis Funeral Home, 378 S. Market Street, Memphis, Missouri 63555.