Norma was born 15 Jun1923 in Rockton.[1][2]She was the daughter of Carl and Vera (Carpenter) Bates.[2][3]
Norma Jean was very popular in school and enjoyed the social aspect of her education. She also received very good grades, graduating from the Hononegah High School.[2][3]
Norma, called "Shorty" by her siblings, worked for a time at the Wagon Wheel Restaurant, beginning in the spring of 1940. Her first weekend, she recalled, she received tips of $.90 on Friday night, $.80 on Saturday, then on Sunday raked in $2.15.[3]
Although she had just turned 17 years of age, Norma Jean married her longtime beau, John Rayln "Ray" Bloom on 19 Jul 1940 at the Bates family farm.[2] During their 62 years of marriage the couple would have five children.[2][3]
Her husband was a War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Army 178th Battalion.[2]
Later in life, she and Ray would enjoy their many travels in their travel trailer, notably wintering at The Resort RV Park in Mesa, AZ. She was a longtime member of the Rockton United Methodist Church and lived virtually her entire life in Rockton.[2]
The love of her life passed away in 2003.[4] She would follow, at the age of 95, on 17 Apr 2019.[1][2]They are reunited for eternity in Rockton Township Cemetery.[2]
This week's featured connections are Redheads: Norma is 18 degrees from Catherine of Aragón, 18 degrees from Clara Bow, 26 degrees from Julia Gillard, 18 degrees from Nancy Hart, 14 degrees from Rutherford Hayes, 18 degrees from Rita Hayworth, 17 degrees from Leonard Kelly, 22 degrees from Rose Leslie, 20 degrees from Damian Lewis, 18 degrees from Maureen O'Hara, 25 degrees from Jopie Schaft and 36 degrees from Eirik Thorvaldsson on our single family tree. Login to see how you relate to 33 million family members.