Norma Jean Rogers Waller Preston, 71, passed away Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, following an extended battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Norma was born on Dec. 28, 1944, to the late Norwood and Hazel Rogers of Evans County, Georgia. She was the second of six children and grew up in rural Evans County, working on the family farm through her adolescent years. Her parents exhibited a tireless work ethic and sacrificed tremendously for their children, qualities that weren’t lost on Norma. She would demonstrate those same qualities as she raised her own family.
Norma Jean Rogers Waller Preston
Sandwiched between two brothers — John Pharis and Waldo Dave, known by everyone as Punky — who showed her equal parts love and torment, Norma grew up tough, strong, and resourceful. She was a doting mother and ferocious competitor, qualities she picked up as she at times fought for survival and sanity with her brothers on the family farm.
At the age of 12, the first of three younger siblings was born. As Norma grew older, she kept a watchful eye on her younger sisters – Jane, June, and Tammi. When she married her first husband, Bill Waller of Reidsville, Norma already had a lifetime’s worth of experience both working and helping with her sisters.
The union with Mr. Waller produced a son, Bill, who was born on Nov. 9, 1966 when the couple lived in Morristown, Tennessee. They later moved to Coffee County and were living in Douglas when, in 1967, the couple was involved in a serious automobile accident. Norma survived the wreck but her husband succumbed to his injuries on Dec. 19, 1967. Their son was but one year old at the time.
In November of 1969, she returned to Douglas and married Bob Preston. They had two children, Robert Jr. and Ashley. Norma took great pride in her family and did her best to instill the same qualities in her children that her parents taught her. Whether it was working with plants (gardening was one of her favorite pastimes), helping her kids with school projects, or simply encouraging her children in their various activities, she jumped in 100 percent.
Norma was never one to sit on the sidelines and watch; she wanted to be involved in whatever was going on. Her children always turned in the best school projects, had the best-edited papers and essays, and were prepared for just about any situation that presented itself. Norma was a jack-of-all-trades; it didn’t matter what needed to be done, she could figure out a way to make it happen. Maybe the height of her backyard engineering came in the early 1990s when she built a contraption to collect a urine sample from one of Robert Jr.’s pet pythons. And it worked on the first try!
At various times, she acted as a veterinarian, tennis coach, music teacher, fashion consultant, wedding planner, farmer, entomologist, herpetologist, mechanic, historian, interior decorator, theologian, and just about anything else you can name. She was truly a talented and unique individual.
Norma loved history and she loved serving others. Later in her life, she became very involved on the city’s Cemetery Committee and the Historic Preservation Committee. Both were important to her and she felt strongly that she could serve her community through those two boards.
She loved to laugh, she loved to play, and she loved to relax. Norma enjoyed a good practical joke, and she could take it as well as she could dish it out. And during her life, especially when it came to her brothers, she certainly dished out a few of biblical proportions.
In 2009, Norma began showing early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. At first, the disease progressed slowly. Over the last three years, however, the illness accelerated. It launched a full-on assault a few months ago and Norma’s condition deteriorated rapidly. She spent the last days of her life surrounded by friends and family, a testament to a life lived to the fullest and in service to others.
Norma is survived by her husband, Bob Preston, State Court Judge of Coffee County; two sons, Bill (Susan) and Robert Jr. (Heather); a daughter, Ashley Graves (Will); five grandchildren, Lane Preston, Stephens Preston, Montgomery Preston, Zean Preston, and Sam Graves; three sisters, Jane Tippins (Stevie), June Anderson (David), and Tammi Hall; and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives. Two caregivers, Elizabeth Gillis and Inez Hersey, stayed by her side as the disease progressed. Their friendship and attention were invaluable and added to the quality of Norma’s life in innumerable ways. Norma was preceded in death by her parents, Norwood and Hazel Rogers; her first husband Bill Waller; and two brothers, John Pharis Rogers and Waldo Dave “Punky” Rogers.
The family will receive visitors on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Sims Funeral Home in Douglas. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Douglas.
Sims Funeral Home of Douglas is in charge of the arrangements.