Norma Jean Magouirk

Norma Jean Kerr Magouirk of San Benito, Texas went home to be with the Lord, Dec. 21, 2018.  She passed away peacefully in her home.

Norma Jean was born August 18, 1929, in Mountain View, Oklahoma to Flora White Kerr and Alfred L.  Kerr.   She was the youngest of eight children: Marvin (Bud) Kerr, Lloyd Lee (died in infancy), six sisters Ella Kerr Maston, Ruby Kerr Strickland, Ethel Kerr McGhee, Opal Kerr Peroni, and Dorothy Kerr Gray.

Norma Jean moved to La Feria, Texas at the age of 5.  She attended school in La Feria through graduation and graduated at the age of 16 from La Feria High School.   Soon after graduation, Norma Jean met her lifelong sweetheart, Clarence Magouirk and they were married on Dec.8, 1946, at the First Baptist Church, La Feria.

She worked for the General Telephone Company of the Southwest for 5 years, before she and Clarence moved to San Benito, Texas in 1950.  She worked for Sears and Roebuck in Harlingen for 5 years and completed her work history with Texas Tech University School of Medicine, pesticide research laboratory, in San Benito, retiring in 1986, after 26 years.

She was a loving mother to three children:  Clarence (Skip) Magouirk, Jr., Gene Magouirk and Peggy Magouirk Brown.

She was active as a Bible Class Teacher, Children’s Church Director, and VBS Director at the First Baptist Church, San Benito and Calvary Baptist Church in Harlingen.  Also, very active many years in the Gideon Bible Ministry, spending many hours with her husband, Clarence, ministering to detainees at Darrell Hester Detention Center and volunteering at Valley Baptist Medical Center.

She always enjoyed traveling, crafting and a good game of “42” or “Hand and Foot”.  And just for the record…SHE ALWAYS WON!  One of her greatest joys was being with her grand and great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband of nearly 65 years, Clarence Magouirk; her sons Clarence (skip) Magouirk, Jr and Gene Magouirk; her parents and all her siblings and their spouses.

She is survived by her daughter, Peggy Magouirk Brown (Charlie), daughter-in-law, Pam Magouirk; grandchildren Shannon, Melissa, Travis, Tyler, Teresa, Rebecca and Tracey as well as two step grandchildren, Kyle and Jacki; 16 great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews that she claimed as her own.  She also, had countless friends, both in her church and her community.

Honored to be pallbearers are Travis Magouirk, Tyler Magouirk, David Magouirk, Mark Magouirk, Eric Beam, and Keith Schwarz.

Honorary pallbearers are the members of the Lydia Sunday School Class, Andy Potter and Larry Radar

Services will be held at Calvary Baptist Church, 1815 N. 7th Street, Harlingen, Texas on Sunday, December 23rd at 2:00 PM with a reception at the church and graveside burial to follow at the La Feria Cemetery.

Special Thanks to Dr. O’Donnell, Dr. Roa, Kindred Hospice and her caregiver and friend, Beverly Schwarz.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to The Gideons or The Calvary Baptist Scholarship Fund.

You are invited to sign the guestbook or leave a memory at www.buckashcraft.com.