Norma Jean Fairbanks

Norma Jean Fairbanks, 66, of Benton Harbor, passed away Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 2:30 P.M. Sunday at Watervliet Free Methodist Church, 7734 Paw Paw Ave. Watervliet, with Rev. Brian Hall officiating. Memorials may be made to Watervliet Free Methodist Church or Gideon’s International. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mrs. Fairbanks was born September 22, 1940 in Kennett, Missouri to George & Audie (Floyd) Moore. Norma Jean was always very active in her church. She was a member of the Watervliet Free Methodist Church where she served as a Sunday School Teacher, a youth leader, and was active in helping with the meals which were served at the church. She was always serving and helping others. Norma provided transportation to many who needed help in getting to church. Her family was also very important to her. She worked in her earlier years, but her current job was her home and her family. Norma was also a member of the Gideon’s International Auxiliary. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Mrs. Fairbanks is survived by her husband Herbert Fairbanks, Sr., whom she married January 29, 2005 in Watervliet; children-Diana (Stan) Downey of Dowagiac, David (Tina) Smith of Dowagiac, Herb (Beverly) Fairbanks, Jr. of Benton Harbor, David (Nancye) Fairbanks of Benton Harbor, Florence Ann Cowgill of Benton Harbor, Virginia (Tom) Cowgill of Coloma, Allen (Diane) Fairbanks of Spotsylvania, VA, John (Carol) Fairbanks of Cassopolis, Dorothy (Mike) Frazier of Coloma, Vicky (Chris) Immoos of Coloma, Leroy (Lisa) Cantrell of San Diego, CA, Frank Hardy, Jr. Daniel Hardy, Margaret Hardy, David Hardy, Sam Hardy, Ken Hardy; 57 grandchildren; 55 great-grandchildren; five brothers & sisters-Frances (Wayne) Mitchell of Baroda, Virginia Musselwhite of Sanford, NC, William (Bridgette) Moore of Buchanan, Donna (Jim) Allen of Northeast, MD, Michael (Jackie) Moore of Homasassa, FL; and numerous nieces & nephews. Norma Jean was preceded in death by her parents, and her second husband Frank Hardy, Sr., in 2000.