Norma Smith Vest

Norma Joyce Smith Vest of Bishop, Texas , age 78, died peacefully July 11, 2010, to the waiting arms our Lord and her loving husband Joe. She was born August 13, 1931, to Josephine and Frank Smith, in San Antonio, Texas.
Norma was one of the kindest, most generous women anyone had the privilege to meet. She loved having family and friends out to her house where she enjoyed cooking big dinners for them. There was always a reason for a party! With Norma, family was first and foremost in her life.
On August 15, 1952, she married the love of her life, Joe Vest. She worked for the railroad (as well as other jobs) to help provide for her family while Joe attended Texas A&I. Once he graduated, she devoted her life to raising her six children. Norma loved dancing and travelling with her family. Along with Joe, she was an avid fan of Javelina football and rarely missed a game. She will be greatly missed and never forgotten by all who loved and knew her.
Norma is preceded in death by her loving husband of 54 years, Joe Vest; her mother, Josephine Smith; her brother, Frank Smith, Jr. and a special brother-in-law, Nolan Wright.
She is survived by her sister, Juanita Wright; children, Michael (Melinda) Vest, Patti (Wesley) Rogers, Steven Vest, Tamie (Mark) Kucera, Dawn (Jeff) Cavanaugh, and Jeffrey (Julie) Vest; grandchildren, Lesley (Lonnie) Rodriguez, Lyndi (Keaton) West, Brett (Kendra) Rogers, Paige (Donny Haggerton) Rogers, Travis Vest, Chance (Stacey) Kucera, Curt and Calen (Arianne) Kucera, Matt (Tina) Cavanaugh, Miles and Macy Cavanaugh and Zack Vest; great-grandchildren, Layton, Logan, Linden and Leelan Rodriguez, Bryce Mann, Kotton West, Kyndal Rogers; nieces, Beverly Chase, Cheryl George and Terry Pavlock, and nephew Rick Wright.
Serving as pallbearers will be her grandsons: Brett Rogers, Travis Vest, Chance, Curt and Calen Kucera, Matt and Miles Cavanaugh, and Zack Vest. Honorary pallbearers will be her granddaughters Lesley Rodriguez, Lyndi West, Paige Rogers, and Macy Cavanaugh.
Public visitation will take place on Thursday, July 15, 2010 from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary to be recited at 7:30 p.m. at the Turcotte-Piper Mortuary Chapel, Kingsville . Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 16, 2010 at St. James Catholic Church, Bishop, with Fr. Romeo Salinas as celebrant. Burial will follow in Bishop at Restland Cemetery .
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 4101 S. Alameda, Corpus Christi , Texas 78411 , The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486 , Houston , Texas 77210-4486 or Javelinas Club Texas A&M University – Kingsville , 700 University Blvd. , MSC 173, Kingsville , Texas 78363 .
Condolences may be offered at www.turcottepipermortuary.com