Norma Lane Ivester

Norma Lane Ivester, surrounded by her family, passed away peacefully in Marietta on July 13, 2018. From her birth in Dallas, Georgia to her death on Friday, she nourished people around her with love, faith, wit and encouragement. Norma was born to Jesse and Ella Wills Lane on January 8, 1932. She graduated from Dallas High School, where one of her favorite memories was a trip she earned with the Beta Club to Washington DC. She attended Bessie Tift College and Georgia State University, and then worked as a bookkeeper for the First National Bank of Atlanta where she met her future husband, Douglas W. Ivester. They married in 1955 and she supported the family as he completed his education at North Georgia College. Doug and Norma moved to Cobb County and were proud to call West Cobb, Marietta and Vinings their home for the next sixty years. As a homemaker and mother to three daughters, Norma ran a taxi service to every extracurricular activity possible. She was an active volunteer with Senior Citizens of Cobb County. Norma was an avid reader and collector of books and enjoyed writing poetry, crossword puzzles, sewing, southern cooking, entertaining, gardening, and her many precious dogs. Sharing a love of travel and adventure, Norma and Doug journeyed the world together. She was a devoted follower of Christ and lived and shared her faith with family, friends and complete strangers. Norma made every family gathering and holiday a memorable, special time filled with fun and love and with a focus on Christ. Abounding in integrity, Christian character, and compassion, Norma knew she was blessed to be a blessing; she lived her life to bless and enrich others. Her unwavering faith carried her through her long period of poor health. She loved her church family and volunteered in numerous positions including treasurer, Sunday School teacher, Bible School leader and countless circles and study groups. She and her husband, Doug, currently attend Marietta Community Church, ECO Presbyterian. Norma is survived by the love of her life and husband of 63 years, Doug Ivester. She leaves behind her best friend and sister, Lynn Lane Flanagan, as the last remaining sibling of eight. Her three daughters, Judy Hartley, Jenny Thompson, and Jody Buter hope they can continue to follow her example of Christian love as they live out their lives. She was a confidant and counselor to them, their husbands, Michael Hartley, Bill Thompson, and Ed Buter, and their families at every stage of their lives. Norma took great delight and pride in her treasured grandchildren: Tyler Hartley, Jennifer Lundstrem Hartley, Tucker Hartley, Kristen Taylor, AliMae Hartley, Kelsey Thompson Mayer, Mitchell Mayer, Will Thompson, Amanda Gonzalez Thompson, Doug Thompson, Alex Buter, Elena Buter, and Juliana Buter. Norma was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Whitney Thompson. She will be remembered forever by her many precious nieces, nephews, and extended family. A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 28 at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church Marietta with Dr. David Mayo officiating. Visitation with the family will be held on Thursday, July 26 at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Donations in memory of Norma may be made to Marietta Community Church, 1349 Old 41 Highway, NW, #125, Marietta, Georgia, 30060.

Norma Lane Ivester

January 8, 1932 - July 13, 2018