Norma Jean Driver passed into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, March 28, 2018, after living a loving, Spirit-filled, life with her family whom she loved and cherished so much. Norma married Donald Lee Driver, on October 11, 1953, and they enjoyed 57 years of marriage until Donald’s passing in 2010. To their union were born three daughters: Debra Coll¬inge (husband, Daniel Collinge), of Springfield, MO; Donna Driver of Bolivar; and Jayne Driver-Morris (husband, William Morris) of Sparta; and one son, Thomas Lee Driver (wife, Tiffany Driver) of Rogers¬ville. In addition to her daughters, Debbie, Donna, and Jayne, sons-in-law, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, mother is also survived by her brother, Billy Leroy Russell, of Springfield. Loved ones who preceded her into Heaven were her infant son, her mother, Lola Russell, father, William Russell, Brother, RL Russell, and grandmother, Opal Shoe. She loved all of her 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. She thoroughly enjoyed spending an entire week with her daughters, Debbie, Donna, and Jayne, after they gave birth to all of their children. Norma attended SMS in Springfield, MO and graduated from cosmetology school in Springfield. She was a much sought after cosmetologist in Springfield, managing the family-owned business. She later completed training as a surgical technologist assisting doctors in surgery. In later years, she worked as a medical records specialist at Maranatha Village in Springfield. She excelled in everything she did! She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed decorating cakes. One of the cakes she decorated was featured with a picture on the front page of the Springfield News Leader! Our mother was a devout Christian woman who lead by ex¬ample. She would get up in the middle of the night to talk with her daughters when they had questions about their Christian faith. Mom had a wonderful sense of humor and shared her joy of life through laughter and kindness. Our mother showed us, and taught us, unconditional love every day of her life. She especially enjoyed the holidays and cooking for family gatherings. Mother instilled faith and inner strength in all of us. We will all cherish our mother’s memory and hold her near and dear to our hearts forever.
Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, April 3, 2018, from 6 PM to 8 PM at Greenlawn East funeral home in Springfield, MO. A celebration of life for our mother will be held at South Haven Baptist Church in Springfield at 2 PM, Wednesday, April 4, 2018, with burial at Hazelwood Cemetery directly following the service.