Norma Jeanne Ross, Ph. D., daughter of the late Cathryn (Bailey) and Ralph Smith died peacefully in Sarasota, Florida on October 20, 2011. She was diagnosed with melanoma cancer earlier this year. Norma was born in Emporia, Kansas, April 18, 1928. She attended Emporia Grade School, Friends Haviland Academy, Fort Hays State University and Kansas State University. After marrying Ronald J. Ross, they lived in Haviland, Kansas operating the R-Lazy-R Ranch for many years.
After earning her Ph.D. at Kansas State University, she remained at K-State, progressing from teacher, editor, researcher, and assistant to the Provost, to serve in the President's Public Relations Office. With university-colleague artist, Dr M.B. Gass, she co-published her Mick and Megan series of children's books, which she wrote progressively for her grandchildren's Christmas presents. After her retirement, the Rosses moved to Sarasota, Florida where she gave lectures at the Friendship Center and developed her own watercolor style of painting. Living on Turtle Beach, she created numerous colorful turtle caricatures which became cheer-cards to friends and neighbors who often reported they collected her turtle art.
She is survived by her husband, Ronald, of the home; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Pamela Ross, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Patricia and Brad Whitney, Blanchard, Oklahoma, Ronda and Keith Philpott, Olathe, Kansas; one grandson, Brock Whitney, Fairfield, Texas; one granddaughter and spouse, Regena and Gary Bryant, Mustang, Oklahoma; two great-grandchildren, Sarah and Cameron Bryant, also of Mustang, Oklahoma. Additionally, she is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Warren and Doris Smith, Americus, Kansas; her late sister's children and spouses, Terry and Ron Koehler, Olathe, Kansas, Jesse and Ann Shaver, Emporia, Kansas who have contributed much to her late-life needs; other nieces, nephews and spouses, Arlan and Ken Gerhardt, Steve and Terri Smith, who played special roles in her earlier life; and numerous friends both in the US and abroad. She was preceded in death by her sister Pasty Ruth Shaver and one grandchild, Sarah Kate Whitney.
Funeral services will be held at Roberts-Blue Funeral Home in Emporia, Kansas on Monday, October 24, 2011 at 2:00 PM. The service will be conducted by Pastor Charity Sandstrom, First Friends Church, Emporia. Burial will follow in Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Emporia.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
Contributions to the American Cancer Society may be made in her memory, and sent in care of the funeral home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Norma Jeanne Ross, Ph.D., please visit our flower store.
After earning her Ph.D. at Kansas State University, she remained at K-State, progressing from teacher, editor, researcher, and assistant to the Provost, to serve in the President's Public Relations Office. With university-colleague artist, Dr M.B. Gass, she co-published her Mick and Megan series of children's books, which she wrote progressively for her grandchildren's Christmas presents. After her retirement, the Rosses moved to Sarasota, Florida where she gave lectures at the Friendship Center and developed her own watercolor style of painting. Living on Turtle Beach, she created numerous colorful turtle caricatures which became cheer-cards to friends and neighbors who often reported they collected her turtle art.
She is survived by her husband, Ronald, of the home; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Pamela Ross, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Patricia and Brad Whitney, Blanchard, Oklahoma, Ronda and Keith Philpott, Olathe, Kansas; one grandson, Brock Whitney, Fairfield, Texas; one granddaughter and spouse, Regena and Gary Bryant, Mustang, Oklahoma; two great-grandchildren, Sarah and Cameron Bryant, also of Mustang, Oklahoma. Additionally, she is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Warren and Doris Smith, Americus, Kansas; her late sister's children and spouses, Terry and Ron Koehler, Olathe, Kansas, Jesse and Ann Shaver, Emporia, Kansas who have contributed much to her late-life needs; other nieces, nephews and spouses, Arlan and Ken Gerhardt, Steve and Terri Smith, who played special roles in her earlier life; and numerous friends both in the US and abroad. She was preceded in death by her sister Pasty Ruth Shaver and one grandchild, Sarah Kate Whitney.
Funeral services will be held at Roberts-Blue Funeral Home in Emporia, Kansas on Monday, October 24, 2011 at 2:00 PM. The service will be conducted by Pastor Charity Sandstrom, First Friends Church, Emporia. Burial will follow in Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Emporia.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
Contributions to the American Cancer Society may be made in her memory, and sent in care of the funeral home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Norma Jeanne Ross, Ph.D., please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors