Norma "Jean" Weber, age 84 of Edwardsville, IL, passed comfortably at home with family, caretakers, and hospice on Sunday, May 26, 2024.

She was born April 25, 1940 in Buckhorn, MO, the baby of nine children to the late William and Anne (nee Midkiff) Stevens.  Her mom and dad were older when she was born.  Her beautiful sisters took turns raising Jean, giving hope for a better life.  After moving to the city to live with family, Jean graduated from the Maplewood School of Beauty Culture on May 12, 1958 at the age of 18.  For the next 50 years she worked hard, long shifts, twisting hair as she would call it.  Her lifelong list of loyal customers followed her from shop to shop until her final beauty shop in Ferguson, MO.

Jean was a tireless worker and loved to work.  After retiring from hair, she kept working as an overnight clerk at a local donut shop in Florissant.  In her 70's she was cooking for children at a daycare in Glen Carbon, IL.

Jean was a loyal and determined woman.  She lived by the moto "nothing worth having comes easy."  She lived a life of hard knock education.  From growing up in poverty to being widowed with two little girls at a young age.  Her greatest life goal was to see to it that her girls grew into independent adults.  She was an exceptional role model for independence and strength.

Once fully retired, she enjoyed leisurely travel with her husband, Joe, for a few years.  The Great Smoky Mountains was her favorite vacation destination.  Several months were spent enjoying a Florida beach in early retirement.  While she found joy in traveling, her favorite place to be was at home with family.  Family and work were her life loves.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her first husband and father of her daughters, James Allen Poe, whom she married February 7, 1959; and all her siblings: Mike, Charles, Marvin, Woodrow and Hank Stevens, Letha Skaggs, Lela Rainwater and Veda Browne.

Surviving are her two daughters, Patty (Pete Biondo) Poe and Tracey (Dave Spiller) Poe; step-daughter, Teresa Weber; step-sons:  Joe (Julie) Weber, Gary (Janet) Weber and Brian Weber; three grandchildren:  Blake Weber, Joseph Weber and Garrett Weber; numerous nieces and nephews.

Jean's wishes were to be cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Jean had dementia.  As her disease progressed, her usually reserved self became a playful comedian which was uplifting to those around her.  All with that cute little smile.  She referred to herself as a "tough old bird" and she was, until she wasn't.  Her dementia stole her from us in one degree or another years ago.  We knew this day would come.  You have been asking to "take me home" for too long. Beloved mother, wife, grandmother, aunt, sister-in-law, and friend, you will be missed terribly. Welcome home.

Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association and will be received at Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.