Norma Jean Phipps

Our mother Norma Jean Phipps, 85 of Abilene Texas, went to her heavenly home on Sunday, May 7, 2023 at a local care center. What a great way to celebrate the Lord’s Day, passing in your sleep and waking up in the arms of Jesus. A celebration of her life will be 11:00 am Saturday, May 13, 2023 in the Chapel of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St. A visitation with the family will be held Friday evening the 12th from 5-7pm at the funeral home. A private family burial will be held at the Texas State Veteran Cemetery at a later date.

Norma Jean Derrick was born on March 5th, 1938 in Houston, Texas, to Arnold Taylor and Dora Hill Derrick. She was given the nickname Rinks by her daddy. Norma was raised in Gatesville, Texas and graduated from high school there.  She went on to graduate from a beautician school in Waco.  In 1957 Norma married Jack in Gatesville, Texas. They spent 60 years together raising their three daughters and serving in churches together in Garland and Abilene Texas. Expressing love through hugs, kisses and words to any family member was taught in their home. This led to the “good things” which we shared weekly with family and friends. Norma loved people. In her jobs as a beautician and home health aide and serving in churches, she always found ways to help others. Her home was her favorite place to show hospitality: Bible studies, counseling with Jack, dinner with family and friends, and parties for any special occasion were ways Norma showed love to others. Teaching Bible School to 4 & 5 year olds, helping Boles Home with her friends at Garland Road to renovate part of a children’s area, baking along with the mothers of Garland Christian School to meet the pay roll one month, and helping Jack with his love for Medina Children’s Home.

Surviving Norma are her daughters; Melody Cook and husband Lyndel of Abilene and Ann Green and husband Rusty of Red Oak, a sister Charlotte Moehlman and husband Claude, sister-in-law Lissa Derrick. She is also survived by her wonderful grandchildren that she adored. Colby and wife Nancy Cook; Crysta and husband Jack Neal; children of Lyndel and Melody. J.D. and wife Faith Green; Colin Burgiel; children of Rusty and Ann Green. Haley Jones, Chloe Jones, Andrew Jones; children of Amy and Andy Jones. Great-grandchildren are; Tazia, Avery, Khaleesi and Arya, children of Colby and Nancy; Eloise Marie daughter of Crysta and Jack Neal; Whitney and Waylon Green, children of J.D. and Faith Green, and her dear nieces and nephews. Norma was preceded in death by, her husband Jack Phipps, a daughter Amy Jones, mother-in- law Minnie Phipps, her brother Charles Derrick, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Mary (sister of Jack Phipps) and husband Alan Gage, and her parents Arnold Taylor and Dora Derrick.

If you are unable to attend the service on Saturday morning you can live stream it at https://www.youtube.com/@piersallfuneraldirectors8501/about