Frances Norann Brooks

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Frances Norann Brooks passed away peacefully on March 9, 2023, surrounded by family at St. Luke's Hospice Hospital. Born Aug. 16, 1938, on the farm of her parents, David and Frances Brooks, south of Hume, Mo., Norann was the oldest of the six children. She attended Brush College in a one-room school house her elementary years, walking to school one mile each day. When it closed she attended Hume R-8 School graduating as Valedictorian in the Class of 1956. Her classmates remained close throughout her life.

After graduating, she went to Kansas City to work at Kansas City Life Insurance where she retired after 35 years in 1995. She loved her work and many friends at Kansas City Life. She loved to travel and every year traveled to a different state, even going to Europe after retiring. Norann bowled in a league at work and also went to different bowling tournaments with teammates. She enjoyed going to Starlight, different dinner theaters, the Royal games, and the American Royal. Due to her generosity many family members got to join her in those activities over the years.

After retiring she moved back to the home place to help our mother. She loved the farm and helping with the hatchery flock, the flowers, the cats – especially Miss Grey and Callie - and all that happens on a farm. She became involved in the community by being secretary of the Hume Alumni meetings, being on the Henry Township Road Board and hosting meetings, oversaw the Lawrence Cemetery, joined the Hume Garden Club where she became a lifetime member , and worked with the County Line 4-H teaching decoupage, wood burning, arts and crafts and bowling. She helped many years with the care of her Aunt Rita Murray.

Norann always wanted to help. She was a kind, very sweet soul, but also independent. She loved her sisters and brothers very much and her many, many nieces and nephews, always remembering all their birthdays.

As the years passed she developed Parkinson's which slowed her down more than she wanted. She could no longer do everything and we needed to bring in help. We were so blessed and thankful for Sandy, Lori, Layknn, Tacy, Abby, Leanna, and Aricka for loving and taking such good care our sister. Norann had many caretakers but the truth is she was one of the biggest caretakers of all.

Norann is preceded in death by her parents, David and Frances Brooks; brother, David Eugene Brooks; and brother-in-law, Harry Bell. She is survived by her three sisters, Rita Burns (Kenneth), Mildred Bell, and Helen Owens (David); one brother, Frank Brooks (Barb); one sister-in-law, Patti Brooks; and many, many nieces and nephews.

The service will be held Saturday, March 18, at the Hume Christian Church. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. and Celebration of Life at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be made to the Lawrence Cemetery in care of Carrie Sutcliffe, 10266 SW State Route A, Hume, Mo. 64752.