Norma Jewell Tullis, 81

Norma Jewell Tullis, 81, of Sedalia, passed away Sunday, May 18, 2014, at Sylvia G. Thompson Residence Center.

She was born May 19, 1932, in Chetopa, KS, daughter of Ralph Douglas and Goldie Gertrude Koons Middleton. On September 5, 1954, in McCune, KS, she married Melvin A. Tullis, who died July 12, 2001.

She grew up in the Cherokee and Labette County, KS, areas. She graduated from McCune High School and attended Parsons Junior College. She resided in Pittsburg, KS, Des Moines, IA, and Bettendorf, IA, before moving to Sedalia in 1971.

Mrs. Tullis was a member of First United Methodist Church, where she was involved in the United Methodist Women. She was a devoted wife and mother who loved kids. She volunteered for many activities in support of kids, served as a Girl Scout leader and a Cub Scout den mother, and also worked in daycare.

Surviving are a son, Gregory E. Tullis, of Columbia; four daughters, Linda Mayes (Robert), of Sedalia, Sharon Manley (Mark), of Sedalia, Janice Johnson (Dennis), of Knob Noster, and Dianne Gonzales, of Cole Camp; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Rodney Wayne Tullis; a granddaughter, Jennifer Mayes; a sister, June Woods; and a brother, Jack Middleton.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 23, at First United Methodist Church Downtown, with the Rev. Jim Downing officiating.

Casket bearers will be grandchildren: Sabrina Selvey, Matthew Selvey, Samuel Manley, Zachary Mayes, Kayla Woodside, Alexandra Mayes, Arlo Gonzales, DeLynn Johnson and Victoria Gonzales.

Burial will be in Hopewell Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until service time Friday at the church.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Huntington's Disease Society of America for research, in care of Heckart Funeral Home.