Margaret Ann (Noble) Jorris

Loving, kind, selfless, wise, matriarch…are just a few words that can describe who she was. Yet Christlike is the most definitive description of Margaret Ann (Noble) Jorris. Margaret was born December 14, 1932, in Rhodes, Iowa, to Donald and Carrie (Gregg) Noble. She grew up in rural Tama, Iowa, where she graduated from high school in 1950.

She and James George Jorris were married May 14, 1950, in Newton, Iowa. Here they raised their family. Her husband passed in 1971 leaving her with eight kids. The youngest a baby and the oldest in college. She lived a lifetime of commitment to Christ, her family, her friends and her church.

Her devotion and love showed in her career at Progress Industries as she taught and guided intellectually challenged adults. She loved and served her church family at Newton First Assembly of God. She enjoyed teaching numerous Bible studies at church and with friends in her neighborhood. She touched countless lives by serving others as Christ would serve. God lovingly welcomed this ‘good and faithful servant’ at the pearly gates of Heaven on July 9, 2023. We are all blessed, thankful and honored to have known her. Some of us call her a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, cousin and most importantly, a friend. May we always remember her for the many times she has touched our lives in ways that no one else can. The life lessons that she passed on to us will grow us to be the best we can be.

Margaret is survived by her sons: Barry Jorris (Tami), John Jorris and Paul Jorris (Patty); daughter, Carol Barlow (Lloyd); her grandchildren: James, Ashley, Nathan, Kyle, Justin, Allison, Josie, Toby, David and Joseph; and great grandchildren: Penelope, Charlie, Willow, Mila, Artie, Finley and Elsie.

In eternal life she joins her parents; her husband; children: Thomas, Joseph, Peter and David; her brother and sisters; and our many, many ancestors of whom we know all too well thanks to her love for genealogy.

Margaret had many reasons to question God’s will, yet, instead, she took challenges and tribulations and turned those weeds into flowers that still bloom today. No possible way can one incapsulate her life into these few words. Her life was one well lived, demonstrating unconditional love towards her family and others. As she would always say and want for you all to remember…. Be better than you were today and remember through Christ all things are possible. As her family mourns her passing, let us all strive to serve others with a humble and gracious spirit, remembering that family and faith are most important. She will be greatly missed.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 17, 2023, at the First Assembly of God Church in Newton. The family will greet friends from 4-6 p.m., Sunday, July 16, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Memorials to Billy Graham Ministries or The Navigators, two ministries that impacted the Jorris Family, may be left at the church the day of the service or at the funeral home.