Norma Gail Empson, 79, of Pekin, Ill., passed away at 9:54 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010, at Pekin Hospital. Norma was born Aug. 10, 1931, in Harrisburg, Ill., to John and Ruby Adkinson Reynolds. She married Riley Ted Empson on March 2, 1963, in Pekin, Ill. Riley preceded her in death on March 21, 1994.
Surviving are her fiance, Charles Adams of Pekin, Ill.; her daughters, Starla (Terry) Berkley of Marquette Heights, Ill., and Terri Sue (Chuck) Pratt of Minonk, Ill.; her sons, John (Diane) Railey of Washington, Ill., Jack (Nancy) Railey of Pekin, Ill., and Ed (Sue) Railey of Morton, Ill.; two stepsons, Steve Empson of Green Valley, Ill., and Jack (Kathy) Empson of Mapleton, Ill.; a stepdaughter, Sheryl Maiden of Ormond Beach, Fla.; 17 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and two stepgrandchildren.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a son, Jay Railey; a twin brother; a grandson, Terry Joe Berkley; and a stepgrandson, Michael Ted Empson.
Norma was a waitress for various restaurants in the East Peoria and Pekin area for many years.
She attended Grace Baptist Church in Pekin, Ill.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 23, 2010, at Remmert Funeral in East Peoria. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Fondulac Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
View Norma's life story at www.RemmertFuneralHome.com.