In the print edition:• Versailles IGA • Furniture Liquidators
• Mega Discount Warehouse
• CLICK HERE to view Pumpkin Show photos
• CLICK HERE for a short list of articles
 |
 |
 |
Norma Jean (Ray) Dent
Norma Jean (Ray) Dent, 83, of Versailles, entered into God’s eternal care at 3:20 a.m. on Monday, October 31, 2016 after a lengthy illness at home. She was born on November 19, 1932, in Lockland, Ohio, the daughter of the late Norman and Bessie (Bray) Ray. On December 21, 1957, she married her college sweetheart, James Dent, and after 58 wonderful years of marriage, he survives.
Norma was valedictorian of the Holton High School class of 1950. She graduated with honors from Ball State University and earned her Master of Education degree from the University of Cincinnati. Norma had a teaching career that spanned three decades, during which she taught children in many grade levels and instructed college students in English for Purdue University. Norma was known as an exacting teacher who set a standard of excellence for herself and similarly demanded high achievement from each of her students. She always delighted in hearing from students she had taught over the years. After retiring from teaching, Norma began the second act of her professional life as a small business owner. She could often be found working behind the counter of one of her four video stores. She had a keen eye for real estate opportunities and enjoyed the process of construction and interior decorating. Norma was an avid doll collector, a fierce, two-time cancer survivor, and, above all, an indulgent grandmother. Norma knew Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and was a member of the Tyson United Methodist Church.
She is survived by her two daughters, Allison Dent of Versailles and Jessica (Matthew) Bailey of Greensburg; three grandsons, Nicholas, Nathaniel and Alexander Bailey; and her sister, Owanna Stratton, of Versailles.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 11 a.m. at Tyson United Methodist Church with Rev. Mike Dixon officiating. Burial will follow at Cliff Hill Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, from 4-7 p.m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home, Versailles, and from 10 a.m. until time of services at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Tyson United Methodist Church.
