Norma Irick

Norma “Katherine” (Meyers) Irick, of Knoxville, born January 13, 1937 in Tazewell, TN and passed away Friday, September 30, 2022 surrounded by her loving family at UT Medical Center. She is preceded in death by her parents, Troy B. and Ollie Meyers. She will be greatly missed by her husband of 67 years, Clifford Irick; daughter and son-in-law Nancy and Gene Seay, daughter, Sharon Moody, daughter and son-in-law, Angelia and Jason Hutchens; grandchildren, Joshua (Cris) Seay, Nic (Tiffany) Seay, Matt (Kerrie)Moody, Sydney Worley, and Sam Collins; great-grandchildren, Carter, Kennedy, Eli, Jordan and Ericka; brother, Troy Denver Meyers; sister, Joan Keck; brother-in-law, Don Statzer; her two forever dear friends, Bennie Lett and Judy Fleeger; a host of cousins, nieces and nephews. She was of Baptist faith, and a member of Texas Valley Baptist Church in the Halls community. She never could remember how old she was when she was saved, but she often told of her experience of kneeling down in The fields as a young girl near a fence post and asking God to save her. To all who knew her well, knew that she loved her Lord, her family and loved living life. She was extremely proud of her three daughters, and she was quick to brag and tell you that all of them are nurses. Katherine was a force to be reckoned with, even as a child, at a young elementary age, she decided she didn’t like her given name of “Cathleen” and she set out to change it. She would print her desired new name on her assignments as “Katherine “. And she stopped answering to name Cathleen when someone called her, she told everyone that Katherine was her name. Eventually, teachers and even her family members began to call her Katherine, instead of Cathleen. When she was old enough to apply for her Social Security card and driver’s license, she put Katherine and never looked back. In the 70’s when she applied for a passport, she had to write for her birth certificate, they of course could not find a Norma “Katherine” and so they issued her a lost birth certificate and passport in the name she chose for herself. Katherine always spoke bluntly, and her daughters would say, “Mom, you have No Filter” and she would always reply, “I’m just speaking the truth and sometimes the truth may hurt, but doesn’t make it any less the truth”. She was a lady of many talents. She was ambitious, hard-working and had the biggest heart of gold. She enjoyed traveling, reading, sewing, quilting, tole paintings, cake decorating and other hobbies over the years. She was a young mother at the age of 16 determined to make a good life for her daughter, she went to work at a company in Knoxville, called Knox Porcelain. There she met the love of her life, and 67 years later, she still has that same loving husband. Katherine had three careers, each of which she mastered and loved. She became a seamstress in the late 50’s working for Breezy Wynn Company, her sewing skills were amazing, she could beautifully make anything from man’s suit to ladies wedding gowns and everything in between. After 20 years of sewing she decided she wanted to be a beautician. She went to Knoxville Cosmetology School, graduated and opened a beauty shop in her home. Within a year, she decided to branch out and become a business woman, buying another established beauty salon. She loved her clients and made many life long Friends in that business. In 1990’s she woke up one morning and told her family. “I want to be a nurse” and that very day, she signed up for LPN school. After graduation, she took a job as a floor nurse at Hillcrest Nursing Home, a few years later, she became an instructor and taught Certified Nursing Aide (CNA) classes until her retirement. Her kindness touched many hearts and lives, and She will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. And we have to say, if Mom is watching from her heavenly home, she said, “I had better have a flourishing elaborate obituary,” I hope we’ve made her proud. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the 6th floor Neuro Critical Care staff at UT Medical Center for the loving care extended to Mom and our family. The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 6th from 5:00-7:00 pm at Mynatt Funeral Home Halls Chapel with a service to follow at 7:00 pm with Rev. Bill McCarter officiating. Family and friends will meet at the funeral home on Friday, October 7th at 10:15 am for a procession to Texas Valley Baptist Church Cemetery serving as pallbearers will be Joshua Seay, Nic Seay, Matt Moody, Sam Collins, Gene Seay, Jason Hutchens. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to Texas Valley Baptist Church for Operation Christmas Child (OCC) or to her favorite charity St. Jude’s Hospital. Condolences for the family may be shared at www.mynattfh.com.