Norma Jean
Phillips

Norma was born on August 7, 1934, in Sebring, Highlands County, Florida, to Evelyn Greene and Julian McAdams. She was the eldest of four children, followed by her siblings Yvonne, Richard, and Joan.

A fiery redhead and the apple of her parents' eyes, Norma's childhood was shaped by both love and loss. When she was 11 years old, her father was killed in a trucking accident while trying to prevent an older couple from being struck. Her mother, Evelyn—lovingly known as "Nanny"—raised the family with remarkable strength, always making things work no matter how little or how much they had. From her mother, Norma learned early that everyone was welcome and everyone deserved care and compassion. She carried those values throughout her life.

In 1945, Evelyn moved the family to Miami, Dade County, Florida. Several years later, Norma met Bill Phillips, who was serving in the Air Force. They married on November 20, 1952. Shortly afterward, Bill was stationed at an Air Force base in Arizona, where their son, Ken, was born. They returned to Miami soon after, where they welcomed their daughters, Diana and, a few years later, Brenda.

Bill and Norma built a life together in Miami. Norma worked for Southern Bell Credit Union, while Bill worked as an industrial coffee repairman. They treasured time with family and friends. As their children grew, Norma formed lifelong friendships with neighbors such as Ma Eddy and her son, Sammy. Even after Ma Eddy and Sammy moved to Tennessee, they remained close and shared many summer vacations over the years.

In 1973, Bill and Norma retired and moved to Woodbury, Tennessee, where Norma's sister Joan was already living and teaching. They lived there for nearly two years. During that time, Bill became seriously ill in circumstances that led to allegations that he had been poisoned by a young man they had taken in and were helping on their land. The allegations prompted an FBI investigation. Eventually, the family returned to Miami and moved in with Evelyn, who lived in an area known as Horse Country.

During this time, Norma and Bill were active CB radio operators who enjoyed talking with people throughout the CB community. Bill used the handle "Pa Kettle," and Norma was known as "Ma Kettle." Shortly after returning to Miami, their eldest daughter, Diana, moved back home while pregnant with their first grandchild.

On August 4, 1976, Diana gave birth to their first grandchild, Wendy. Norma was one of the first people to hold her, after Bill, of course. A year later, Ken welcomed their first grandson, Kenny Jr., followed the next year by another grandson, Richard. In the late 1970s, Norma and Bill hosted the wedding of their youngest daughter, Brenda, to Mike Raines—a memorable celebration that included the wedding couple arriving by helicopter in the field. Norma and Bill also introduced Diana to Jack in 1976, and in 1981, Norma witnessed their marriage alongside Evelyn in Williston, Florida.

As the family grew, Norma returned to work at Florida Power & Light Credit Union as a loan officer. She flourished there and was sent all over for training. Although she loved to travel, flying was not her favorite activity. On one especially frightening flight, she was so nervous that she broke the armrest on her chair. It became funny later, but at the time she was absolutely terrified. Still, she went on to travel widely throughout the United States, often with her sisters, Yvonne and Joan.

At the end of the 1970s, Bill and Norma laid the foundation for the first of their two dream homes. The first was considered the "small house," although it was anything but ordinary. Its dome shape earned it nicknames such as "the igloo" and "the flying saucer," but regardless of what people called it, it was home. Family members helped construct it, making it truly a labor of love. The best part was that the entire design came from Bill, who created it especially for Norma.

On August 6, 1986, Norma and her family suffered the loss of the first of her siblings when Joan passed away from complications of an aneurysm. A few years later, in 1989, Brenda welcomed Norma and Bill's second granddaughter and fourth grandchild, Stormmie. The family experienced another loss in 1991, when Evelyn passed away after a long battle with emphysema.

The following years were filled with travel and with Norma's continued success at FP&L Credit Union, where she was a favorite among coworkers and members alike. She completed courses and earned certification in investment banking through Florida State University. She later became an investment advisor for retirees at the credit union. This was by far her favorite part of her career, as she met people from all over the country and helped them secure their retirement.

In 1994, Norma was diagnosed with colon cancer and underwent surgery. Thankfully, it was caught at a very early stage. She retired from the credit union shortly afterward. In the years that followed, she traveled to Iowa to visit her eldest granddaughter while she attended university. During this time Brenda welcomed Norma's sixth and final grandchild.

On June 7, 1996, Kenny Jr. welcomed Norma's first great-grandchild, Victoria. Later that same year, on September 27, 1996, Bill passed away at the age of 69. After his passing, Norma officially moved into her motor home and lived with her daughter Diana.

Over the following years, Norma traveled throughout the country, visiting nearly every national park and many of the places she had always wanted to see. At one point, Norma, Diana, her cousin Mildred, and her cousin Betty traveled together and became infamously known as "the Golden Girls." They returned home with countless stories from their adventures. Sadly, shortly after returning to South Florida, both Betty and Mildred passed away.

In the early 2000s, Norma moved to Live Oak, Florida, to be closer to her brother, affectionately known as Bubba, and her sister Yvonne. She enjoyed the time she spent traveling to Tennessee to spend with her son Ken. Together they would go four-wheeling down the sides of mountains and through rivers. Looking at flowers and foliage. They also spent many days driving around in the car looking at the fall leaves, especially in the Great Smokey National Park in the area of Cades Cove. Riding down random dirt roads taking pictures of flowers, the scenery and just enjoying spending time with each other. She lived with them for several years before returning to Miami to live with Diana and Jack.

Kenny Jr. and his wife, Dee, married on October 31, 2005. Before their marriage, they had welcomed three more of Norma's great-grandchildren into the family: Vincent, born November 19, 2000; Cloe, born June 19, 2003; and Cid, born December 26, 2004.

In November of 2006, Alexandra was born and was officially introduced to the family on January 13, 2007. She is Wendy's only child and Norma's fifth great-grandchild.

Richard married Adriana on November 20, and together they welcomed Jacob, Norma's sixth great-grandchild, on February 3, 2012.

When Diana and Jack retired, the whole family moved to Mims, Florida. Stormmie and her wife, Tiki, welcomed Norma's seventh, eighth, and ninth grandchildren: Layla, Brixxon, and Adelynn.

In January 2027, Norma's first great-great-grandchild is expected to be born to Victoria and her husband, Lawson.

During her final years, Norma faced several illnesses and spent time in and out of the hospital. In March 2026, she suffered two major strokes and continued to experience smaller TIA strokes.

Norma loved playing Triominos, Zonk, Hand and Foot, and putting together puzzles. She adored Words With Friends and enjoyed playing with friends and family all over the world from the comfort of her recliner. She was also deeply devoted to genealogy, collecting and verifying volumes of family history information. She taught her grandchildren the importance of knowing, preserving, and documenting their family history.

Most of all, Norma loved being surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She lived life to the fullest and lived without regrets. She worked hard to instill compassion, love, and kindness in her family, reminding everyone that kindness goes a lot further than spice.

Norma was sassy, spunky, and full of humor, with an amazing laugh that will never be forgotten. In her remarkable 91 years, she gave her family countless life lessons and memories. She will forever remain in their hearts and minds.

And whenever you see an owl, remember that she is there with you—watching over you with all her wisdom, love, and kindness.