Norma Jean Pallister was the second child of Ralph Speed Pallister & Wilma Bath born November 24th, 1925 in Harrisburg, Saline County, Illinois, USA.
In 1930 Norma & her parents & brother Jack (8) were living in Harrisburg where father Ralph was a coal miner.
The family were still living at Harrisburg at the time of the 1940 census. They were living at 83-24 Harrisburg Township. Brother Jack was also still at home & living next door were Norma’s grandparents (Wilma’s parents).
Norma married James Loren Thompson on December 28th, 1947 in Harrisburg. James was born February 26th, 1919 in Brushy Township, the son of Mary Stilley & Frank Thompson. Norma met James (known as Jim) whilst working at Harrisburg Tire & Recap.
Norma & Jim co-owned & operated the Thompson Texaco Grocery & Cafe at the intersection of Carrier Mills Rd & Illinois Route 13 for 7 years. Their business expanded & with Jim’s niece & nephew Ina & Kenneth Allen opened another service station, grocery & cafe. In 1956 Jim was appointed Deputy US Marshal for the Eastern District of Illinois.
In 1957 Norma & Jim had a daughter, Nina Marie.
In 1962 Jim was appointed County Sheriff which post he held until 1966. During this time Norma served as a jailer & cook at the Saline County jail. Following this Norma worked at the A L Bowen Childrens’ Centre in Harrisburg until her retirement.
Norma & Jim were both active members of Bankston Fork Baptist Church in Harrisburg. Norma taught Sunday School & was treasurer & trustee of this church.
Jim died on August 22nd, 1982 in Harrisburg & was buried at the Bankston Fork Cemetery.
Norma, aged 80, died on August 11th, 2006 in the Harrisburg Medical Centre & was buried alongside her late husband on August 14th.
The children of Norma Jean Pallister & James Loren Thompson were:
p.1.6.3.1.1.6.1.1.2.1 Nina Marie Thompson born c1957 in Harrisburg, Saline, Illinois, USA