RALEIGH -- Norma Dodd Vinyard Stehr, 83, of Cahokia, formerly of Raleigh, passed away Thursday, April 13, 2017, at her residence.
Norma was born Oct. 30, 1934, in Raleigh to the late Fred "Tutt" and Eva (Reeder) Dodd. She married the late Robert Vinyard. After this marriage, they moved to St. Louis.
Survivors include two children, Stephen Lee Vinyard of Cahokia and Vicki (Tom) Ray of Charlotte, North Carolina; dear sister, Cathleen Parks of Raleigh; dear sister-in-law, Katie Vinyard and her husband the late Walter of Eldorado; niece, Cathy Lynn (Frank) Sauls of Galatia; nephew, Ed (Jennifer) Vinyard of Eldorado; granddaughter, Christine "Chrissy" (Matthew) Morton of Holly Springs, North Carolina; and three great-grandchildren, Hannah, Alyssa and Bryce, all of Holly Springs, North Carolina.
Norma was an avid square dancer and caller's wife, seamstress, gardener, grandmother and great-grandmother.
She enjoyed holidays with interesting conversation about bubble heads and jar heads as her son, Stephen, is a Navy veteran, and her son-in-law is a Marine Corps veteran.
Her pride and joy was her granddaughter, Chrissy, who brought such fun and energy to her life. Then came the great-grandchildren, Hannah, Alyssa and Bryce. Finally, a great-grandson! Bryce is particularly drawn to great-uncle Steve.
Norma enjoyed visiting with her sister, Cathlene, as often as she could, especially in the spring to journey out and pick up flowers for her gardens. Her favorite flowers were day lilies. Norma made the annual holiday trips with Steve to Charlotte, North Carolina, every Christmas since 1990.
In 1981, she married the late Robert Stehr of Cahokia. From this union, Norma is survived by a stepdaughter, Donna Hill, of St. Louis.
Norma was a Christian woman with a strong Baptist upbringing. She was a member of Maplewood Park Baptist Church in Cahokia. Similar to her sister, Cathlene, Norma had a love for poodles. Her sidekick, "Maggie," will miss her dearly. Steve will take that place in Maggie's heart.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 22, in Colonial Terrace Funeral Home in Eldorado with the Rev. Aaron Phelps officiating. Burial will be in Raleigh Masonic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.colonialterracefuneralhome.com.
