Norvella Mae McMurphy, 79, Butler, MO, died Friday, October 9, 2009 at her home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 14 at the Ohio Street United Methodist Church in Butler, MO. Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 13 at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Butler Public Library, 100 West Atkison, Butler, MO 64730.

Norvella was born May 7, 1930, the daughter of Francis O. (Jack) and Nellie (White) Crist. She was an active member of the Ohio Street Methodist Church, a lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi and volunteered her time with the Butler Police board.

Norvella was an avid reader and a sports fan...but her ideal activity was anything her grandchildren were participating in. She attended numerous basketball, football and soccer games; choir concerts and wrestling matches. School plays, softball and volleyball games were also some of her favorites. Family gatherings were special times, whether celebrating birthdays and holidays or canning pickles and freezing corn.

Both parents and her only brother, Eugene Crist, preceded her in death. She leaves her daughter, Susan Winters (Christopher) of Belton and son, Scott McMurphy (Marcia) of Butler; grandchildren, Aaron and Alyssa Winters and Taylor, Jennifer and Ashley McMurphy; Also Bill and Liz Kern, Wamego, KS; Bethany Smith (Travis) and Gillian of Manhattan, KS; Kathryn Van Rhee (Bas) Matyce and Annika of Beaumont, CA and Steven Kern (Li Anne) of Lakewood, CO.