Vera Lorraine Almond

DEXTER — Vera Lorraine Almond, daughter of the late Herman Norris and Elsie Sifford Norris, was born on Dec. 27, 1929 in Chaffee, Mo. and departed this life on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019 at her residence in Bloomfield, at the age of 89 years.

Mrs. Almond was a former employee of the United States Department of Agriculture, where she worked as an Admin. Program Technician. She was a longtime member of Liberty Hill General Baptist Church in Aid. She was a lifetime member of the Girls Scouts where she served as a Scout Leader, she was also involved with the University of Missouri Extension Club. She was a longtime member and past president of the Stoddard County Women’s Democrat Club. For many decades she served as the bookkeeper for the Harper Cemetery in Aid. She had a heart for giving and helping others. Along with her husband, Billy Lee, they were known to open up their house and dinner table to anyone, family, friend and stranger who asked for help, or if they simply saw a need, they would provide whatever they had, with no strings attached. She was an avid volunteer and gave freely of her time and talents to many causes. When it came time to watch area sporting events, you could find her in the Bloomfield Wildcats purple and gold cheering on her favorite team.

She was united in marriage to Billy Lee Almond on July 10, 1949 in Kansas City, Mo. Mr. Almond preceded her in death on May 16, 2015.

She is survived by one son, Rev. Terryl and wife Glinda Almond of Dexter; by one daughter, Dr. Donna Almond of Wappapello; by one brother, Jimmie Norris of Acorn Ridge, Mo.; by one sister, Floella Deardorff of Dexter; by two granddaughters, Rachel Almond Lidle and husband Matt of Phoenix, Ariz. and Rebekah Sims of Bloomington, Ind. and by three great-grandchildren, Harper Sims, Harrison Lidle and Deacon Sims.

Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Russell Norris; and by her daughter-in-law, Sherry Szczeblewski.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, on Sunday, Dec. 8 from noon until 2 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Dexter with her son, Rev. Terryl Almond officiating. Interment will follow in the West Pleasant Valley Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to 18 Fore Life, c/o Scott Kruse, 705 Laurie Circle, Dexter MO 63841 or Stoddard County Children’s Home, PO Box 164, Dexter MO 63841 or John Irvin/John Brehmer Memorial Golf Tournament, c/o Mark Guethle, 720 Saddlespur, Dexter MO 63841 or to an organization of the donor’s choice.

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.

Paid