After a long struggle with dementia, Norma Jean Raymond, 95, flew into freedom on November 12, 2024. Born at home, she died at home, surrounded by loved ones. Hers was a life and death defined by fierce, tender love, beauty, and a determined will.
She was born November 26, 1928, in Ft. Worth, Texas. The first-born of Nellye Mae Stateson Sweet and Noah Jackson Sweet, Norma Jean was small, but mighty. After graduating from Paschal High School at the age of 16, she studied journalism at TCU, just as thousands of soldiers returned from World War II to study under the GI Bill. Her first jobs were at The Ft. Worth Star Telegram and Southwestern Bell Telephone Company.
She married Phillip Dean Raymond, September 28, 1951, and they began life together in a trailer near Lake Worth, living an idyllic sailing life. After two years, she reminded him of his promise to begin a family, exclaiming, “What did you think this was all about?” They proceeded to have five children, all of whom she loved deeply.
She always claimed being a Mom was her favorite role, yet as her children got older – and through moves to Baton Rouge, San Antonio and Austin – she embraced an expanding realm of care.
Her love of houses led her to attain her real estate license and begin working at Colony Homes Real Estate. She spoke fondly of the 22 years she worked for the Herschel Bernard Law Office in San Antonio, attributing her political evolution both to her children and to “Mr. Bernard” and his savvy friends.
Her political journey took her from Goldwater Girl to devoted Democrat. She educated herself and was passionate about justice, equality, and integrity. She supported groups advocating for women’s rights, public education, civil rights, animal rights, conservation, and our planet.
Her deep conviction that beauty is transformative, was embodied wherever she lived. With a graceful eye, with tireless effort, and with treasures from garage sales and thrift shops, she beautified all her homes and filled all her gardens with flowers. Her thrift store finds also augmented her simple, classic fashion sense, leading people to exclaim, “Your Mom is stylin’!”
She loved laughter and was funny, though she couldn’t tell a joke. She was an ardent reader, both fiction and non-fiction. She loved music of all kinds (especially classical and jazz), declaring that in her next life, she would be a musician. She loved singing and dancing and –- until shortly before her death –- would bob and sway to the music. And she loved so much else, including family get-togethers, theatre, movies, all nature, and all children. She loved her dog Wallace and, indeed, all animals. She would fondly call each pet “the baby.”
Her deep spirituality was lived in a life of love and service to creation. She made people – even strangers – feel cherished. She was dazzling.
She is survived by her children, Lauri Raymond and husband Tom Parker, Carol Raymond, Jay Raymond, Rex Raymond; Amy Raymond; grandsons, Zane Raymond-Henshaw and Noah Wilkinson, his wife Hali Wilkinson and their son Oran Hedrick. Also survived by sister Carol Sweet Alexander and brother Noah Jackson Sweet and wife Patricia Sweet; nieces, Shey Alexander Campbell, and Kelly Sweet Richards; nephews, Mark Thomas, Lane Alexander, Brian Thomas, and Devin Sweet; grandnieces and grandnephews; and great grandnieces and great grandnephews.
She is missed by many friends including Betty Charles McCann of Long Meadow, MA, who she met in kindergarten and who has been a dear and faithful friend ever since.
She was preceded in death by husband, Dean Raymond; parents, Nellye Mae and Noah Jackson Sweet; sister, Alice Sweet Thomas; brother-in-law Tom Thomas; former brother-in-law Dan Alexander; and niece Allison Thomas Swanberg.
There is so much more which could be said about the life of Norma Jean Raymond. Let these suffice:
“My life was so filled with love for my precious children, grandchildren and family and friends. No one could be more fortunate, thanks to God!” ~ Norma Raymond
“There are no degrees of integrity.” ~ Wallace the dog
“Beauty will save the world.” ~ Dostoevsky