Bellville Times
Norma Jean (Hawkins) Kitzman, a believer in and servant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, was called home Saturday, Dec. 18, 2004. She was a beloved wife, mother, teacher and friend. Born Dec. 22, 1937, in Houston, she was the daughter of Donnelly and Myrtle Hawkins. Norma Jean was a fourth generation Houstonian who grew up in an area of the city known as Park Place. A graduate of Milby High School, Norma Jean graduated from Rice University in 1959 and later received her masteršs degree from Sam Houston State University. On June 10, 1960, she married Oliver Kitzman, with whom she had three children: Donnelly, Stanley, and Erin. An educator for 31 years in the Spring Branch, Katy, and Royal Independent School Districts, Norma Jean was the librarian for Royal Junior High and Royal Middle School from 1978 to 1999. She faithfully served as the organist for the Pattison United Methodist Church for over 33 years and as teacher of the Ladies Sunday School Class for 15 years. Norma Jean was a member of Order of the Rainbow for Girls, Order of the Eastern Star, Texas Library Association, and Gideonšs International Auxiliary. She was a member and Past President of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, John B. Hood Chapter #2147, and the Royal Chapter of the Association of Texas Professional Educators. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Past President of its Gamma Omega Chapter, and a former member of its Lambda Tau Chapter. Norma Jean is survived by her husband of 44 years the Honorable Oliver S. Kitzman; son SSG Stanley Kitzman; daughter and son-in-law Erin and Jimmy Sanders; granddaughters Savannah and Delanie Kitzman, and Sarah Sanders; sister and brother-in-law Margaret Ann and Don Clark; brothers and sisters-in-law Lydia and Jim Tom House, Bill and Mary Grace Kitzman, Norman and Carolyn Kitzman, and Henry and Beverly Kitzman; a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and other family members and her caring friends and neighbors John and Carol Williford. She was preceded in death by her parents, Donnelly and Myrtle (Kinser) Hawkins; son, Donnelly Kitzman; brother-in-law, Ellis Kitzman; and sisters-in-law, LaVerne (Kitzman) Landig and Gliester (Kitzman) Biddy. Funeral service was held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2004, at the Royal High School Auditorium, 2520 Durkin Road, in Brookshire with the Rev. Kip Gilts and the Rev. David Davidson officiating. Interment followed in the Pattison Methodist Cemetery. Pallbearers were Ronnie Clark, Rob Clark, Steven Clark, Charley Kitzman, Robert Kitzman and Danny Kitzman. In lieu of usual remembrances, friends who wish may make memorial gifts to Gideonšs International, P.O. Box 387, Bellville, Texas 77418. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Schmidt Funeral Home in Brookshire. Posted by Joy Neely
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