Norma Josephine Millard (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Norma Josephine “Jo” Wright Hester Millard, daughter of Alonzo and Ora O. Hough Wright, was born February 28, 1921, in Delto, Missouri. She departed this life Monday, October 2, 2017, in Northridge Place Assisted Living in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of ninety-six years, seven months, and four days.
On August 10, 1939, she was united in marriage to Eric Ira Hester, and to this union one daughter and one son were born. Mr. Hester passed away on May 5, 1982.
On November 2, 1984, she was married to Luther L. Millard, and they shared twenty-seven years before his passing on January 13, 2011.
She was also preceded in death by her parents; and a granddaughter, Jenay Hester.
Jo is survived by a daughter, Mary J. Officer, and her husband, James, of Conway, Missouri; a son, Norman Eric Hester, and his wife, Sylvie, of Mission Viejo, California; four grandchildren, Douglas Officer, Ericka Jo Officer, Yvette Trygsland, and Trinity Hester; three great-grandchildren, James Douglas Officer, and Aurora and Missy Trygsland; a brother, Harold Fisher, of Rock Island, Illinois; a sister, Bonnie Massey, of Springfield, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was raised in the Delto and Phillipsburg areas and graduated from Phillipsburg High School in the Class of 1939. She worked as a Harvey Girl at the Harvey House in Gallop, New Mexico for a short time. During World War II, she worked as a “Rosie the Riveter” in ammunition plants in Kansas and Indiana. Jo took care of her niece, Vicky Laurent for a few months, and after a friend of Jo’s died at the age of twenty-eight, she cared for the lady’s daughter, Nancy Trent, for a time in 1953. Around 1959, she and Eric moved to California and Jo made large Christmas decorations for awhile. She later worked for the Philco-Ford Aerospace Corporation for several years. In 1972, the family moved back to their family farm near Phillipsburg, and Jo worked at the Durham Company until retiring at the age of sixty-five. After she and Luther were married, they made their home in the Phillipsburg area. Jo was always a devoted homemaker to her husband and family. Jo made her home with her daughter, Mary, and her husband, Jim, in their home in Conway, for three years and seven and one-half months before going to Northridge Place.
Jo made her profession of faith in Christ early in her life and was a member of the Phillipsburg Christian Church for over sixty years.
She enjoyed quilting and was a member of several quilting clubs. She was an excellent cook and was particularly known for her delicious pies. She loved to work and to do things for others. She was always bringing family and friends into the home and enjoyed preparing meals for them. She had also taken care of her mother during her senior years. She loved her family very much and she especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jo was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and her accomplishments and know that her family and friends will cherish the wonderful memories she create for them during her ninety-six years.
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