Ruby Bell (Wright) Norris passed away July 26, 2012, at Rosegarden Care Center, Omak, Wash.
     She was the daughter of William Wright and Julia (Meeks) Wright. She was born in Apex, Ala., to a farming family and was one of 13 siblings.
     She is survived by her two sisters, Pauline Felts and Billie Sue Blankenship.
     She was a member of New Life Centre in Okanogan since 1981.
     She married Elmer E. Norris on Oct. 25, 1939. After her husband enlisted in the U.S. Army, Ruby supported the war effort by constructing and installing bomb bay doors on aircraft at an aircraft factory.
     Following World War II, Ruby and Elmer decided to raise a family and had Sidney Norris in 1946 and Timothy Norris in 1951.
     Ruby concentrated on raising her sons, and occasionally worked to support the family income, especially when Elmer was convalescing from a severe construction accident.
     After Elmer recovered, the family moved to Federal Way, Wash. where Elmer worked for Boeing Aircraft Company.
     Following a severe allergic reaction to penicillin that almost took her life, Ruby found renewed salvation in the Lord that guided the remainder of her life and teaching to her family and friends.
     After their sons joined the military and started families of their own, Ruby and Elmer decided to retire in Omak, Wash. to enjoy the great outdoors and see what they could do to solve the fish overpopulation problem in the Omak area.
     Elmer Norris passed away in April 2004, after they contributed significantly to that overpopulation problem. Ruby will be sorely missed by her two surviving sons, their families, and the other family members whose lives she touched. Ruby will be remembered for her devotion to God, her love of flowers and wildlife, emphasis for the truth, and her hobbies in crafts and painting.
     She did her best to teach her sons by example about such principles as honesty, hard work, and devotion.
     Even when ill, she always found time and resources to craft articles to be given to those in need.
     She would always preface a gift with the words “I know it isn’t much...” perhaps not understanding the lesson of charity that went with each gift, regardless of one’s means.
     Visitation for Ruby will be from noon until 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 3, 2012, at the Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel on Elmway in Okanogan, Wash.
     Services for Ruby will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012, at the New Life Centre in Okanogan.
     Graveside services will follow at the Okanogan Valley Memorial Gardens along the Conconully Highway.
     Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel is in care of the arrangements.