Norma Lee Travis, age 99, of the Hillerman Community in Massac County, passed away in Hot Springs, Arkansas on April 23rd, 2026. She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother who will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Born on September 23rd, 1926 in Karnak, Illinois to Leslie and Lillian Barnett. Norma was the eldest of five siblings. She married Charles Melvin Douglas on February 23rd, 1946, making their home in Grand Chain, Illinois. They were blessed with two daughters, Carol Elaine and Janice Maria, before a tragic accident took the life of her beloved husband June 5th, 1950. Norma then continued her education at Draughon’s Business College and secured a position at City National Bank as an executive assistant to the president. She later met Donald Travis, and they were married for 57 years before his passing. They were also partners in business as Norma used her accounting expertise to keep meticulous books at Don’s Amoco for many decades. She was proud to call Metropolis, Illinois her home and was a good neighbor and friend to many.
Norma was known for her generous spirit and would often share the fruits of her labor from her garden and kitchen, whether it was one of her famous chocolate or coconut cream pies with a perfectly crafted merengue or a bag of sweet red tomatoes, she gathered from her yard. She was also a skilled seamstress who diligently sewed clothes for her children and grandchildren, and spent hours crocheting in order to make each member of her large family, their favorite color afghan. Norma often opened her home to family for large gatherings and wrote loving letters in her perfect penmanship to those farther away. She was known simply as “Granny” to her grandchildren and great grandchildren who have so many fond memories of her rocking them on her lap and playing in her basement.
Norma will be remembered as a woman whose faith was central to every aspect of her life. She loved singing praise songs while she washed dishes in her kitchen, rising early to read scripture and gathering with her church community for worship. She attended a number of local churches over the years, a devoted member at each, she was committed to including anyone suffering in her daily prayers.
Norma is survived by her two children, Elaine Pretzsch and Janice Swain, sevan grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren, her brother, Ron, Barnett (Susan), her sister, Kathy Gill (Paul) and her sister-in-law, Mary Barnett, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the Hillerman Baptist Church in honor of Norma’s strong faith and the important work it does to provide for members of her home community.
Norma Lee Travis lived a life of loyalty, compassion and hard work. Her family was her greatest joy and her legacy will live on in the lives she nurtured. Her memory will forever be a blessing.
Funeral services honoring the life of Mrs. Norma Lee Travis will be held at 1 P.M. Saturday, May 2, 2026 at Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak. The family will receive friends Saturday from 12 P.M. until the service hour. Rev. Ben Hottel will be officiating. Interment will follow at the Lower Salem Cemetery in Massac County.