Norma Lee Herrington

Born Norma Lee Merrell on March 23, 1941 to A.G. and Mary Lee Merrell. She was raised in the Heidelberg/Vossburg area of Jasper County, MS. Norma was a lady who loved hobbies and had lots of friendships formed over the years through sewing and quilting, to planting trees and flowers. And she always wanted to get better and learn more about each hobby she was working on at the time. In 1991, at the age 50, Norma enrolled in Jones County Junior College’s Horticulture Program out of a desire to learn more about plants and flowers. She spent many hours in her flowerbeds and loved to share and receive cuts with friends. And always told the memory of who each cutting came from originally. Norma loved her family and loved to talk about the accomplishments of her kids, grandchildren and eventually her great grandchildren. She was always proud of the achievements of her grandchildren and always told us that we could do anything we desired to do. She was a great cheerleader for her family. But more than this, she loved the Lord and was a child of God. She grew up in Shady Grove First Baptist Church (Heidelberg, MS). Even when her health would not allow her to go as much in person, she continued to read her Bible and kept up with the prayer needs of various family members and friends. She’d call her kids with different prayer request, but it was always for others and never for herself. She was very selfless and never complained about anything that was going on within her own life. She made countless sacrifices over the years for the well-being of her children and would never ask for help, even if needed. She believed in working hard for what she had and instilled this belief into her three children. She modeled what a Christian Mother was to all of us. Norma was preceded in death by her parents, A.G. and Mary Merrell, her sister, Bettie Sellers and brother-in-law, Hilburn Sellers, infant brother, William Merrell, grandson, Garret Rowell and special friend and “partner in crime”, Sylvia Rowell. She is survived by her children, Steve Pugh and wife, Grace; Nina Graham and husband, Daniel; Kelly Pugh and wife, Karlyn; grandchildren, Kayla Stewart (Chris), Stevie Strickland, Joshua Pugh and Jarrett Pugh (Cydney); and great grandchildren, Dawson Rowell, Jena, Skylar and Jakob Strickland, Marleigh and Cullen Stewart. The family would like to extend a sincere, heartfelt thank you to Jones County Rest Home. The staff became a part of our family over the last three years and made a tough situation the absolute best it could be for Mom. Special thanks to nurses Keidran, Kathy, Sarah, and Deb for all of the care and love you showed our Mother. Thanks to all of the CNA’s that helped in so many ways. Also, a special thanks goes out to Mrs. Sheila Morgan, the best roommate in the world. God knew what was best for Mom and us when He opened doors for Mom to become a resident of Jones County Rest Home. Services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 14th, 2025 at Shady Grove First Baptist Church in Heidelberg, MS. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to Shady Grove First Baptist Church. We hold to the promise that those of us who are alive in Christ will see Mom again one day and until then, “Mom, we love you, love you, love you!” To sign the online guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

Norma Lee Herrington

March 23, 1941 - September 2, 2025