Norma Russell Tipton

Norma Russell Tipton, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away Thursday, June 21, 2012. She was born June 1, 1922, in Mesa, Arizona, to Henry Franklin and Julia Fish Russell. Following her graduation from Mesa High School she attended beauty school. She married Vernon John Tipton February 13, 1943, in Dallas, Texas, and was sealed two weeks later in the Salt Lake Temple.
While her husband pursued his education and his subsequent service in the military, she lived in Springville, Utah; Oakland, California; Washington, D.C.; St. Louis, Missouri; Panama Canal Zone; San Antonio, Texas; and Tokyo, Japan. During those years, she served in the Relief Society in branch, ward, district, and stake leadership callings. She also served as a volunteer for LDS Social Services, sharing her home with young women in need.
In 1983 she served with her husband as he presided over the Ireland Dublin Mission. Working with the missionaries and couples, she would later say, was one of the greatest experiences in her life. They later served together in the office of the New Hampshire Manchester Mission. In 1988 she and her husband were asked to serve for two years in Jordan where they were able to gain official recognition for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To help gain that recognition, they entertained government, university, and business dignitaries in their home.
She and her husband together were the recipients of the Presidential Citation for Brigham Young University in 1997 for their humanitarian work.
Her greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her five children: Dianne King, Jay Vernon, Russell Thomas, Marsha (John) Jacobson, and David John (Margaret); brother Joseph L. (Alta) Russell; sister Betty R. (L Wood) Haymond; sisters-in-law Helen T. Bringhurst and Lurline R. Russell; 17 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon J. Tipton; sisters Dorothy R. Norton, Billie Allred, Hazel Lee Dribb; brother Cyrus Russell; and great-granddaughter Haley R. King.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 30, 2012, at 11:00 am in the Springville Stake Center (245 South 600 East, Springville, Utah). Family may call at a private viewing prior to services from 9:00 - 10:00 am, and friends are welcome to attend a public viewing from 10:00 - 10:45 am. Interment will be in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the PEF or Temple Patron Assistance Fund.