Mrs. Norma Paige Jenkins — mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend — died on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018, at Pontchartrain Health Center in Mandeville. She was 97.

Norma was born in Covington on June 18, 1921, to Nathan and Bertha Paige. She graduated from Bogalusa High School and began nursing training in 1939. At the age of 21, she graduated from Elizabeth Sullivan Memorial Nursing School and left for Texas in 1942 as a member of the Army Nurses Corps. Norma was then stationed to an evacuation hospital for American and Allied soldiers in Brisbane, Australia. She was given the title of first lieutenant in the American army and presented with a medal from the Brazilian government for taking care of injured Brazilian soldiers during World War II. Norma met and married Carlos Jenkins during her placement in Brisbane. General MacArthur granted permission for them to marry on July 17, 1944. Following the war, Carlos and Norma returned home to Bogalusa, to begin their lives together.

She enjoyed being active as a lifelong member of the Bogalusa Presbyterian Church and her community. Wednesday prayer breakfast was one of her favorite events of the week. With many great stories to tell, she was a proud veteran. She loved needlework, traveling around the world, and cooking. In her kitchen, she was best known for her delicious pralines and divinity candy.

Norma will be remembered for her service, strength, kindness, generosity, faith and sense of humor. Her heart was made to love and serve. She was an animated storyteller and her laughter was contagious. She was a petite woman in size, but full of life, spunk and spirit.

She is survived by her daughter, Gina Talley of Covington; one grandson, Nick (Sarah) Jenkins of Carmel, Ind.; two granddaughters, Kellie (John) Hohenshelt of Rockwall, Texas and Hillary (Scott) Eberhart of Monroe; and her great-grandchildren, Ashlyn Hohenshelt, John Carlos “J.C.” Hohenshelt, Caroline Jenkins, Alexandria Jenkins and Emily Jenkins.

Norma was preceded in death by her husband, Carlos Jenkins; and her son, Carlos “Kent” Jenkins.

On Sunday, Sept. 23, a visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 3 p.m. at the Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home, with the Rev. Grant McElveen officiating.

Interment will follow at Ponemah Cemetery.