01/28/2025
It is with a heavy heart the Wildcat Nation shares the news of the passing of PHS alumni and A. M. Story retired teacher Mrs. Torma. So many lives were changed with her incredible kindness and spirit. Forever in our hearts.
Grace Ann Torma, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, peacefully passed into the loving arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 26, 2025, surrounded by her family.
She was born on August 18, 1949, in Palestine, Texas, to her parents, Maxine Patterson Davis and Harold Davis. Grace Ann graduated from Palestine High School in 1967 and earned her degree from Stephen F. Austin State University in December 1971.
Grace Ann dedicated 29 years to teaching at A.M. Story School. For two years, she shared her gift of music with students as an accomplished pianist and organist. She then taught fourth-grade for 27 years, leaving a profound mark on the lives of countless students and colleagues.
Grace Ann was known for her unwavering dedication to the Lord and genuine kindness to all who crossed her path. She loved playing the piano and singing, and her talent in both was truly exceptional. For many years, she devotedly played the piano at Grace United Methodist Church, enriching the lives of all who heard her music.
Her greatest joy, however, was spending time with her family—especially her children and grandchildren. She had a way of making everyone around her a better person, sharing love, wisdom, and faith in every moment.
On January 8, 1972, Grace Ann married the love of her life, George Torma. Together, they spent 53 years building a life filled with love, joy, and devotion.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister-in-law, Susan Taylor Davis, and her brother-in-law, Frank Torma.
Grace Ann is survived by her devoted husband, George Torma; her daughters, Amy Grace Torma Hendrix and her husband, Greg Hendrix; Emily Catherine Torma Steadman and her husband, Brent Steadman; and her son, Joel Davis Torma and his wife, Michelle Torma. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren, Davis Gregory Hendrix and his wife Angelica Hendrix, Stephen Grant Hendrix and his wife Emily Hendrix, Anna Grace Hendrix Augustine and her husband Ben Augustine, Allison Joy Steadman Ingalls and her husband Ben Ingalls, Sarah Grace Steadman, Caroline Ruth Steadman, and Jack Davis Steadman, william Brooks Torma, Aden Joel Torma, Jackson DavisTorma and Jameson Alen Torma.
Grace Ann’s legacy also lives on in her great-granddaughter, Joni Grace Hendrix.
She is also survived by her brother, Max Davis Torma, and sister-in-law, Tracy Torma; her brother-in-law, Steve Torma, and his wife, Elaine Torma; and her nieces and nephews, Colleen, Meredith, Cason, Thomas, and Patrick.
Pallbearers will be Davis Hendrix, Grant Hendrix, Brooks Torma, Aden Torma, Jack Steadman, Ben Augustine, Ben Ingalls, Harry Clark, and Steve Presley.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Grace Ann's caregiver, Elena Oliva for her loving devotion and care over the past eight years. Elena quickly became an essential and cherished member of our family, loving Grace Ann as her own mother.
We also wish to thank her nurses, Rayne Barfield and Patti Boswell, for their faithful care and support.
Visitation will be at Bailey-Foster Funeral Home Thursday Jan 30th at 6-8. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Jan 31st at 2pm, followed by burial at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 503 N. Queen, Palestine, Texas 75801.
