Obituary of Nora Jean McKune

Nora Jean McKune, beloved mother, grandmother, auntie and friend went to be with the Lord on April 24th, 2021 while convalescing at her home in Pearland Texas. Nora Jean was born to the union of Barney McKune and Willie Mae Shingler, January 10th, 1934 in Holly Hill, South Carolina. Nora Jean enjoyed her youth and early part of adulthood in Holly Hill. Growing up in a Christian home, Nora professed her faith at Target AME Church in Holly Hill. She went on to join Martin Luther King Baptist Church in Oakland, California. Nora continued her faith until her death. Nora was a God-fearing woman, and when able, she attended services regularly at her local church. Nora Jean attended school in Holly Hill South Carolina and upon graduation, she relocated to Brooklyn New York. Nora Jean was employed with Sullivan County Infirmary as an administrative assistant in Liberty, New York. She continued her career with the Infirmary until she retired in January 1991. To all that knew her, Nora was a joy to be around. Nora Jean was kindhearted, charismatic, and loving. She would give her last dime to anyone that needed it, without hesitation or remorse. To know her was to love her, and to her family she was so much more. Nora Jean’s illustrations of remarkable faith and fortitude cannot be confined to words. She understood that “what children needed most, was structure, encouragement, love, and freedom to express oneself”. As a mother and grandmother, Nora provided these fundamentals in abundance to each and every one of us. Nora expressed her unequivocal love, affection, gentleness, patience, humor, comfort, and provided us with stoic lessons of life. Words cannot describe how much she meant to us all. “A hero is someone who has given her life to something bigger than oneself.” Most heroes are movie stars, or athletes. They are known for being famous or making a lot of money. To us none of that mattered because we already had the best hero in the world. Nora Jean not only demonstrated the aspects of a hero, but she also taught us the elements of, what it took to be an amazing mother. Sacrifice, dedication, and consistency, I never heard her complain once about the struggles she faced, and it makes me realize how much I truly love her. Though Nora Jean never completed college, she valued education. She brimmed with pride as she excitedly watched her children and grandchildren attain these goals. She was so proud of them. Nora Jean lived for and loved her family. We were her ultimate joy and she loved seeing us achieve milestones. Whether large or small, Nora Jean was gladdened by every moment of achievement. Highschool graduations, college graduations, every wedding, proposal, military enlistment, new job, home purchase, car purchase, every childbirth, you name it, you could guarantee she was at the head of the cheering section. It was her absolute pleasure watching each one of us grow into the incredible spirits we were destined to be. Even through her illness, we were her strength and motivation to keep pressing on. Nora Jean loved life and believed in living life to the fullest. Upon retiring she took great pleasure in travelling to see her children and grandchildren whenever possible. Nora was not the biggest fan of flying but came to appreciate a flight over the drive. She enjoyed cooking and was a miracle worker in the kitchen, she could make a little seem like a lot and it always tasted like heaven. Sharing recipes became our thing over the years. Nora Jean was a protector. guardian, referee, and strong disciplinarian. Even though I am positive that we will all agree, she was way more lenient with the great grands. She never failed to advocate for any of us. She loved us all for who we were, never judging us for our mistakes or short comings. Nora Jean encouraged us to never give up on one another and the importance of forgiveness. We were taught to make the best attempts to never let the sun set on disagreements, because tomorrow was never guaranteed. Family over everything always. Nora Jean's achievements are not inscribed on a medal and her deficiencies aren’t front-page news. She maintained a life of impeccable service to her family and to God. There is no reward for that. There is only us — her seven children (four sons, three daughters), her twelve grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. We are her legacy, her life’s greatest works. Nora Jean is gone from this earth, as we know it, but she will never be forgotten. Nora Jean was preceded in death by her parents Barney McKune and Willie Mae Shingler, husband Jasper Lee Grimes, half-sister Cora Dawson, grandsons Alexis Grimes and Jasper Cain Jr., son Jerry Grimes, and her two daughters Gloria Diane Grimes, and Renee Grimes. She is survived by her sons Henry Keller of Harlem NY, Brian Grimes of Houston TX, Anthony (Temora) Grimes of Suffolk VA, Jasper (Joy) Cain of Courtland Manor NY and daughter Jennifer (Michael) Miles of Pearland TX. Her grandchildren, Lataisha, Tahiesha (Maurice), Kiamesha, Nora, Ashley, Calah, Cesar, Celena, C’enedi, Jelani, Angela and Jasmine. Fifteen great grandchildren, Anthony (Felicia), Dominic, Kiona, Calisha (Thomas), Aaron, Victoria, Maya, Anjali, Trent (Chelsea), Cain, Daniel, Elenore, Isabella and Elin. Nora Jean also leaves to mourn her two great-great granddaughters Arriyah and Olivia and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.