NORMA JEAN RICHARDSON CARNES, 70, passed
away on Aug. 9, 2007.
She was born July 5, 1937 in White Flat, TX. She
was one of a set of identical twins born that day,
to Norman and "Tiny" Richardson who lived in Ranger,
TX. She attended elementary school at St. Rita's
Catholic School. Norma Jean attended Jr. High and
High school at Ranger High School where she and her
twin Linda Kathyleen Richardson (RHS-1955) were head
cheerleaders. They were cheerleaders for the 1953
Bulldog State Football Champs.
She married Ray "Vern" Meroney in 1956. They lived
in Ranger, and ran the radio station in Eastland. They
had 2 children Linda Jean Meroney and Danny Ray Meroney.
Norma Jean divorced in 1960. She then began to pursue
a career in dentistry. She attended dental college at
Sam Houston College in Houston, Texas. She then moved
to Midland, Texas to work for an Oral Surgeon, "Dr. Dan
M. Carnes." She was not just a dental assistant, she was
the assistant, the front office, Insurance, and Hygienist
as well. She worked for "Doc" for 14 years.
Then, Dr. Carnes' daughter, "Cindy Wakimoto" and Norma
Jean's daughter Linda Jean (co-hearts in crime and
showing horses) thought it would be a good idea to get
Norma and Doc "together"... they began dating in 1974
and were married in 1975. They continued to work together
until their retirement in 1985.
Norma and Doc were founding members of the West Texas
Hunter Retriever Club. She and her dog Topper and Doc
and his dog Charlie participated in and won many field
trials. She enjoyed throwing bumpers for her dog Topper
and taking him to the field trials. Going hunting ...
not so much.
Doc was hospitalized the last year of his life, she
stayed most of each day at the hospital with him. During
that time (1996) her twin sister Kathyleen Lilley passed
away. Dr. Carnes passed in 1997. She continued to participate
in the Hunter Retriever club until her Mother became ill
in 1997. She again, stayed at the hospital with her Mother
until she passed in February, 1998. Shortly thereafter her
father, Norman had a heart attack. Norma moved back to
Ranger to care for her Father. She had lived there a short
time when she became ill. After many months of doctors
appointments and testing she was diagnosed with peripheral
Nueropathy. She took it all in stride and began getting
treatments that allowed her to resume her normal daily
activities.
She was an active member of the Mountain Top Church in Cisco.
She enjoyed going to church and other activities at the
church. She and her dog topper enjoyed throwing a Frisbee
in the mornings and taking drives in the afternoon. Her
father Norman passed in 2006.
She was diagnosed with lung cancer in early 2007. She fought
a hard fight, putting up with all the side effects that chemo
brings with it. She always took everything in stride and tried
to accept each new challenge as she did the first. Her fight
was hard and strong. She fought hard and fast until the cancer
caught up with her. Even then, she fought a fight that amazed
even the medical staff.
She is survived by 2 daughters Linda Meroney of Dallas TX,
Cindy Wakimoto of Laughlin, NV, 1 son Danny Meroney of Ranger,
nephews Ron Lilley of Odessa and Robbie Lilley, Crane, TX. A
grandson Casey Meroney of Eastland, TX. Her dog Topper and
granddaughter dog Punk.