Carmel Boudreaux Norton of Baytown, Texas, fulfilled the promise of eternal life given to her 93 years earlier by our Lord. She passed away peacefully on March 4, 2016. Carmel, affectionately known as Boudy, was born to Arthur and Mathilde (Hotard) Boudreaux in Orange, Texas, on April 9, 1922. The second of five siblings, she excelled in tennis and was a member of Orange High School’s all girl drum and bugle corps, the Bengal Guards. After high school graduation, she attended Sam Houston State Teachers College in Huntsville, Texas, obtaining her Bachelor’s of Science degree in health and physical education in 1944. She was awarded a Master’s in Education from The University of Houston in 1947. Carmel began her teaching career in 1944 at Robert E. Lee High School. She served as the director of the Lee Brigadiers Drum and Bugle Corps, in addition to teaching girls health and physical education. She advanced up the ranks in administration, being named coordinator for girls’ health and physical education in 1966 and coordinator of health and physical education for all students in 1977. She held this position until her retirement in 1988. Carmel was an active member of the Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (TAHPERD), serving as State President in 1975. She received many prestigious TAHPERD awards including the Honor Award and the David K. Brace Award. She was appointed by the commissioner of education to be a member of the Texas Textbook Committee of 1973. The Texas Foundation for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women was also an important organization in her life and she served as treasurer for many years. A longtime member of the Epsilon Psi chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, she served as president from 1998 to 2000. In 2009, the Bay Area Heritage Society of Baytown honored her at their annual gala. Carmel married William Stancil “Stan” Norton on December 17, 1948. They had three children and were active members of the Baytown community. Carmel had many friends but none were as special as Dr. Alvera Griffin who served as business manager of the Lee Brigadiers. Her main love, besides her family and our Lord, was golf. She spent many enjoyable hours playing golf at the Goose Creek Country Club in Baytown. During the summers she participated in a ladies inter-club tournament playing many courses around the Baytown area and venturing as far as Aspen and Vail Colorado with her golfing buddies. She is survived by her children: Therese Norton Ruff and Charles Ruff of Houston, TX; Mike Norton MFA of Houston, TX; and Alexine Norton Deans and Mark Deans of Sherman, TX. She is also survived by her three grandchildren: Alaina Deans of Sherman, TX; Trent Deans and Ashley League of Lubbock, TX; and Meredith Ruff of Houston, TX. Other survivors include her sister, Alexine Adams of Orange, TX, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, parents, brothers Arthur Owen Boudreaux and Paul Boudreaux, sister Delores Saunders, and dear friend Dr. Alvera Griffin. The family would like to express their love and appreciation to Carol Clary for her friendship and care these past few months. A mass of Christian burial will be held Wednesday at 10 am at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 to 7 pm at Navarre Funeral Home with a rosary beginning at 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests luminaria be purchased in Carmel’s name for the Bay Area Relay for life at http://www.relayforlife.org/bayareatx To view the online obituary or to post a tribute for the family, go to www.navarrefuneralhome.com Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521 (281) 422-8111. – See more at: http://www.navarrefuneralhome.com/obituary/Carmel-Boudy-Norton/Baytown-TX/1596230#obit-services
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