Norma Lou (Reese) Goucher June 11, 1926 - July 10, 2018

Norma Lou (Reese) Goucher, 92, of Novinger, Missouri passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 10, 2018 while residing at The Arbors at Highland Crest in Kirksville.

The daughter of Merriett Elisha and Sadie Della (Johnson) Reese, she was born on June 11, 1926 at the Reese farm two miles south of Novinger in Adair County, Missouri. On May 3, 1947, in Queen City, Missouri, Norma was united in marriage to Bobby Lee Goucher, who preceded her in death on August 12, 1991. Also preceding Norma in death were her mother on May 13, 1987; her father, on October 10, 1981; and her brother, Johnnie M. Reese, Sr. on March 30, 2013.

Norma is survived by her brother's wife, Patsy Ruth of Irving, Texas; three nephews, Johnnie M. Reese, Jr., Jerry E. Reese, and Joel W. Reese, and three great nieces, Emily, Lauren, and Christi Lou.

Norma received her first four years of education at the Novinger Consolidated School; four years at the McKim Rural School; and four years at the Greentop High School, graduating with the Class of 1944 as Valedictorian of her class. In 1955 she received her Bachelor of Science Elementary Education degree from Northeast Missouri State Teacher's College-now Truman State University.

Her teaching assignments for 48 years included Trinity Rural School, McKim Rural School, Stahl Rural School, and forty-one years as third grade instructor at the Adair County R-I School in Novinger, Missouri retiring in May of 1993.

Norma was selected by her former students in 1990 and 1992 as one who made a difference and therefore was acknowledged for excellence as a distinguished educator in "Who's Who Among America's Teachers". Norma touched the lives of approximately 1,400 students during her teaching career. She also served as bookkeeper for her husband's "Goucher's Service" business for 24 years; was a member of the Missouri State Teacher's Association from 1945 to the present; was a life time member of the Mo. PTA since 1945; and was previously an active member in Novinger Planned Progress, Inc.. as well as a member of the Connelsville Bible Church.

Norma enjoyed collecting antiques, working with flowers, reading, feeding the birds and squirrels, and researching her family history.

Public visitation will be held Tuesday, July 17, 2018 with family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at Travis-Noe Funeral Home. Interment will follow the service at Mt. Moriah Cemetery, southwest of Novinger.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Norma Goucher may be made to Mt. Moriah Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.