Rockwall Meals on Wheels celebrates client’s 100th birthday

Norma with her Evergreen friends and family.

(ROCKWALL, TX — July 7, 2020) Today Meals on Wheels Senior Services of Rockwall County (MOWSS) celebrated the 100th birthday of one of its longtime clients, Norma Gray. MOWSS joined Norma’s friends and family in delivering lots of goodies and fellowship for the birthday girl in social distancing fashion to commemorate her special day.

As you can imagine, Norma has lived through many significant events in her lifetime, including the Great Depression, World War II and even now through a global pandemic. Norma was born on July 7, 1920 in Greenville, Texas. She graduated from a Celeste high school at the age of 16. She decided to become a hairstylist at the age of 20, and went on to manage her own beauty shop called Norma’s Beauty Salon for 45 years.

Meals on Wheels Senior Services of Rockwall County staff with Norma

Norma currently resides at Evergreen at Rockwall senior living facility, where she has lived for the past nine years. She loves being self-dependent and enjoys playing bingo and cards with her friends in the main hall. She also loves to cook. In fact, cooking has always been her way of expressing love; it’s like her love language.

Norma with her NCL Pearl (weekend warrior) group

Norma has been blessed with nine grandchildren, and too many great grandchildren to count!

“I am thankful for having a wonderful family and friends who care about me,” Norma said. “I’m happy that I can walk, stay in my own home, and enjoy playing cards with my friends.”

Norma credits her faith as the secret to her longevity. “I’m a christian, I think you have to believe in a higher power and worship God and live close to him,” she said.

To all the young people out there, Norma has this advice: take risks and try things you really want to do. “Believe in yourself,” she said.

Please join us in wishing Norma a very happy 100th birthday – and watch her birthday parade video here!

By Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News. Photos courtesy of Meals on Wheels.

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