Norma Jean Failing
Oct. 16, 1933 – Sept. 28, 2020
EMPORIA — Norma Jean Failing, formerly of Reading, died Monday Sept. 28, 2020, at Holiday Resort Care Center, Emporia. She was 86.
She was born Oct. 16, 1933, in Osage County, East of Reading, the daughter of Dan and Elva Jackson Griffith. She attended a one-room school, Ireland No. 76, through third grade. She attended Reading Grade School and later Reading High School, where she graduated with the class of 1951.
Norma married Jack Failing in 1951. They were later divorced.
She worked as a telephone operator, in Reading, before taking a job in the security department at I.B.P., in Emporia. She remained at I.B.P. until her retirement.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a daughter, Jean Luby.
Norma will live on in the hearts and memories of a son, Jerry Failing, Walla Walla, Wash.; six grandchildren, James Eric Luby, Hutchinson, Jeremy S. Luby, Olathe, Sara Sheeley, Emporia, Amber Goff, Lebo, Serena Vicari, Walla Walla, Wash., and Jamie Failing, Walla Walla, Wash.; eight great- grandchildren; and a brother, Robert Griffith and wife, Vickie, Madison.
Cremation has taken place. A private service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, in Reading Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Holiday Resort or Reading United Methodist Church and sent in care of Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home, P.O. Box 43, Lebo, KS 66856.
Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.
