Obituary of Norma Saxton

Norma Saxton September 23, 1934 - March 23, 2015 On March 23, 2015, Norma (Smith) Saxton gracefully passed away at her home in Lovington, New Mexico. Norma, more commonly known as “Mrs. Saxton” or “Gran” fought a beautiful, and dignified fight. Norma was the daughter of Doyell and Marie Smith, who preceded her in death. She was their only child. She is also preceded in death by her aunts Chonie, Lupe, Laura and Nicolasas, her uncle Fred, and countless friends, colleagues, neighbors and beloved students. She is survived by her husband, Dale Saxton, her daughter Shelley, her son Mark and his wife Tania. She also had six beautiful grandchildren - Kelly, Lindsey, Whitney, Daley, Sydney and Courtney that she adored every minute of every day, and three great grandchildren – Taylor, Abbee and Zia that gave her even more joy and passion for life. Norma has two surviving aunts, Connie Gonzales of Elida, New Mexico, and Sue Crume of Clovis, New Mexico, as well as her cousins Spike Gonzales of Clovis, New Mexico, Vicky Everhart of Clovis, New Mexico, Gloria Hohman and Mike Gardner both of Junction City, Kansas. Norma, Mrs. Saxton, Gran or Mom was an elementary school teacher for 26 years with the Lovington public school system. Most of those years were at Llano Elementary School. She loved her job and her colleagues, but most of all she loved her students. As a husband, child, grandchild, great grandchild, student, neighbor, friend, colleague, hair dresser, ironing lady, physician, yard worker, janitor, nurse, cafeteria worker, bus driver, lost dog, or stranger knew, it was easy to feel her love. She openly gave it. Every person she knew, or met, deserved respect and kindness, and she willingly displayed it – without prejudice. Her only preconceived notion was that people are good – especially children. Her family wants to thank every person that has expressed love, appreciation, respect and kindness toward her through the years. Those expressions, given up front, have enabled us to endure the loss of our most precious gift – her. No services are planned at this time, and her wish for her many friends would be to donate, volunteer, mentor or comfort another person in need rather than send flowers. A memorial service will be planned at a later date and Norma’s wish was for memorials to be made to The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, New Mexico Chapter, PO Box 16232, Albuquerque, NM 87191. Arrangements are under the direction of Kirby-Smith-Rogers Funeral Home