after living a full life filled with family and good friends.
Born August 5, 1933 in Fort Worth, Texas to Alice Haver Fain and William Hassell Fain, the Fain
family moved to Houston when Norma was a small child. Norma had two younger brothers, Bill
and Pat. She considered herself a 100% Houstonian and lived most of her life in the Heights
area where she was surrounded by many extended family who lived only a short distance away.
Norma’s cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents all lived nearby and if she wasn’t at her home,
she was probably at one of theirs. It was a wonderful time.
Norma attended Browning Elementary School, Hogg Junior High and Reagan High School,
making many friends along the way. From slumber parties to the neighborhood tennis group, to
St. Marks youth group activities, Norma loved being active in the neighborhood. Norma
accepted Christ as her personal Savior as a teenager and she openly shared her faith
throughout her life, as well as helping others. She was a very talented pianist. As a child, she
learned how to play and continued throughout her life, passing her musical legacy on to her
children and grandchildren. After graduating Reagan High School, Norma Jean went to work
and saved her money in order to attend Baylor University. After attending Baylor for a short
time, Norma ultimately graduated from the University of Houston. After earning her degree,
Norma began working at Hughes Tool Company.
In 1957, Norma met Richard Stroud on a blind date and they married a short time later. They
moved to the suburbs and had three children, Michael, Susan and Michele. Norma then began
her new career as a mother and homemaker. Norma Jean started a new phase of life when the
kids were teenagers. She began working at the University of Houston and later at Texaco and
she returned to her “home”: the Heights. When Texaco went through some reorganizing
Norma was offered a position with the new venture, Star Enterprise. Norma worked at Star
until retiring in 1999.
Throughout the years, Norma took on many other jobs such as: assisting with various church
related responsibilities and teaching Sunday school, volunteering in various areas at the kid’s
schools, managing the family storage business. She helped w/community improvement
projects, and enjoyed volunteering at the local hospital. In more recent years, she loved to help
at the mission store at Houston’s First Baptist Church, which was her home church for over 30
years.
Norma loved to spend time with family, and when she became a grandma, she couldn’t have
been more thrilled. Oh, how she loved her grandbabies!!
Norma Jean loved and cherished her grandchildren, Hannah, Tara, Ethan and Adam. Norma
was always happy to handle a last minute carpool emergency or babysitting need. She loved
spending time with the kids in her beautiful shady backyard on Waltway Drive in Timbergrove
Manor.
Throughout the years, there were many, many family celebrations at her house on Waltway
Drive. Christmases, Thanksgivings, graduations, birthdays, baby showers, retirement parties.
Norma’s house was also home to various family members throughout the years as well. Norma
would never turn anyone away if they were in need. Norma had a very humble and giving spirit
and was always kind, gracious, and loving.
Norma Jean leaves behind her three children, Mike Stroud, Susan Stroud (and husband Sam)
and Michele Rodriguez (and husband Ernest), her grandchildren Hannah Laamoumi, Tara
Bagwell (and husband Nick), Ethan Rodriguez, Adam Laamoumi, brothers Bill Fain and Pat
Fain, (his wife Gayle), numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and many cherished friends..
Norma Jean was the best mother and friend and will be dearly missed by all who knew her, but
we are at peace knowing she is with her Savior, Jesus.
