Norma M Rhodes

Norma Maxine Watts Rhodes, 103 years old, of Athens Texas passed away June 14, 2024. Services for Norma Rhodes will be held Monday, June 24th at 11:00 at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home and Cemetery at 14501 N. Interstate 35 in Pflugerville, Texas.

Norma was born November 6, 1920 in Slocum, TX to Robert Leroy Watts and Jewel Blanch Watts. She is preceded in death by her husband, Prise John Rhodes, and sons, Spencer Dean Rhodes and Jerry Wayne Rhodes. She is survived by a son, Ronald Glen Rhodes of Taylor TX, and two daughters, Debra Lavenia Tapley of Lindale TX and LaVonne Rhodes Schuler of Santee CA, seven grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Norma was beloved by all leaving a void her family cannot fill.

Norma spent her childhood in many towns throughout east Texas as her father was a share cropper. She was picking cotton at the age of five and by the age of ten she was picking more cotton (3500 lbs.) than a grown adult for which she was paid a nickel per hundred pounds. She was often hired out to other farmers to help with their work. She continued with that very strong work ethic throughout her adult life.

Norma graduated from Slocum High School, TX in 1939 (having completed two years of work in one year). In 1940, Norma left the farm and moved to Houston. She worked for her Aunt Della in a boarding house for a time. Norma went to National Youth Administration (NYA) school in Houston to learn how to be a machinist. In 1943 she went to work for Hughes Tools making airplane parts during the war. She made 12 lb. head sections using a broach to cut them and had to make 800 a night. She also made ferrules for the airplanes. Her biggest check during the 11 months she worked there, was $50 a week.

While in Houston, Norma met and married Prise John Rhodes on January 1, 1944. They were married by Prise’s brother, Dean Rhodes, soon after midnight. Norma then became a homemaker while Prise delivered ice. Their first child, Spencer, was born November 1944, followed by Jerry in 1946, LaVonne in 1950, Ronald in 1951, and Debra in 1955. Norma and Prise spent most of their lives on a farm, first in Beeville TX, 17 years in Georgetown TX, and 53 years in Athens TX.

Norma was an excellent cook and spent many hours in the garden and kitchen canning and freezing food for the winter. Even with five kids in the house, there was never a shortage of food. She wasted nothing and repaired what clothing she could to keep her family healthy and clothed well. She was a dedicated and strong member of the Church of Christ. The first things people say about Norma was that she was an extremely hard worker and was loved by many.