Nora June Hendrick, 80, of Jacksonville, passed away on Novemeber 15, 2024. A Graveside service will be held on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, to begin at 2:30pm, at West Shady Grove Cemetery. A viewing will begin at 2:00pm in the cemetery prior to the service.

Nora was born August 2, 1944, in Jacksonville, Texas, to parents Joe and Virdie Hendrick. Nora was a Telephone Operator for the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company for many years.

Nora is preceded by her Father, Joe Rayford Hendrick, Mother, Virdie Pearl Batton, partner, Legrande "Lee" M. Lilly, Brother, David Ray Hendrick, Sister, Glenda Alexander, Tami Gail Cory, and Aunt, Nora Pryor.

She is survuved by her Son, Albert Thomas Croft, Son, Jeffery Acker and his wife Michelle, and daughter Kasey Lynne Schoener, Daughter, Mary Joann Croft, Sister, Jo Ann Wilburn, Sister, Rose Johnson, Sister, Elaine Wilkinson, 7 Grandchildren, 9 Great-Grandchildren, Numerous Nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.

Nora's story became its own volume on August 02, 1944, and the final line of it was written on November 15, 2024. In between, she went above and beyond in trying to make it and the volumes around hers a little better.

Nora was raised with a strong work ethic and sense of family, two forces that guided the development of her story. She worked as a telephone operator before starting a family. While raising a family she was involved in her church, teaching Sunday and Vacation Bible School for many years. And after raising three children, many would try to slow down, but in her later years much of her time and energy was split between taking care of her partner, her mother, her aunt, and her cousin. As much as it may have worn on her at times, she felt it her responsibility to do the best she could for each of them.

Nora was a sociable soul, who could talk to anyone. I have heard that it was said that it seemed she couldn't go into Walmart without bumping into someone she could strike up a conversation

with. She had numerous friends with whom she tried to stay in contact across the miles and the years.

They say dynamite comes in small packages, and there are many who will agree that description fit her to a tee. It was a rare thing to provoke her to anger. For such a petite lady, when brought to anger she could slice and dice the largest of personalities down to size without a raised voice or resorting to profanity. As my brother would agree, when growing up if we had to choose between being chewed out by our mother or a whipping by our dad, the whipping might sound better because its sting would pass quicker.

Nora did not only use that energy for the occasional (but deserved) tongue lashing, however; she found other needs for her energy and concern in her community. For several years, she served as the secretary for the Hendrick cemetery/family reunion southwest of Rusk. When she discovered that the West Shady Grove Cemetery Association had been inactive to the point of almost being forgotten, she spearheaded its reorganization, and served as its secretary for many years.

In the occasional (and often rare) moment she could take for herself, her outlets were often creative. Crocheting was a frequent way for her to de-stress, and she did not keep count of the days and lives she brightened by the surprise gift of a crocheted blanket or a pair of crocheted house shoes. Another of her outlets was writing. While some of her writing was for the children or grandchildren of friends, she wrote primarily for her own enjoyment-without expectation that the works would be seen by eyes other than her own.

Life is a timed writing test–we do not know how long we have to write our story. Some tear out their pages, break their pencils, or waste their time worrying about the edits before writing their story. Nora wrote her story in ink, with a clear, steady hand, and filled her pages with love.

Please send floral contributions to Boren-Conner Funeral Home.