Norma Jean Wilson

Norma Jean Leavelle Wilson, 90, passed away peacefully and very much loved on October 22, 2025, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Those she left behind are assured Heaven has never smelled cleaner. Born July 22, 1935, in Terral, Oklahoma, within spitting distance of the Red River, Norma entered the world during the Great Depression, when cotton was king and the Dust Bowl was queen. Her parents, Royce Sr. and Lola Leavelle, packed up the family (including little brother "Roscoe") and headed to California as migrant farmers. Norma fondly remembered her Girl's Camp adventures in Yosemite, towering sequoias and mountain air making quite the impression on her. Eventually, the family settled in Oklahoma, where Lola introduced a handsome Tinker Air Force Base co-worker, John Lowell Wilson, to her daughter. Sparks flew, and the two married on May 4, 1953 after John had completed Navy bootcamp. The newlyweds set up camp in San Diego, where within a year their first daughter, Carol Jeanice, made her debut, fiery auburn hair and all clearly from Norma. After John's enlistment in the Navy ended, the Wilsons returned to Oklahoma for John's higher education at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University while Norma earned an A+ in making ends meet and cultivating the cozy home the Wilsons became well-known for. Their second daughter, Linda Ruth, arrived in 1963, and Norma once again embraced the joys of chasing a toddler and hosting elaborate tea parties for stuffed animals. The Wilsons moved between Oklahoma and Texas over the years, with Norma mastering homemaking to an Olympic level. She crocheted, crafted, and cooked like a pro. Her legendary menu included seven-minute icing, sweet tea, poppyseed chicken, whipped cranberry salad, and her pièce de résistance: beans and cornbread. But her truest art form was cleaning. No dust bunny dared cross her path. She could detect a dirty dish at twenty paces, and no clothes were ever so clean or perfectly folded. She loved her White Shoulders perfume, but her favorite fragrance was Pine Sol. When not battling grime, Norma was serving others. She was active in PTA, Stepping Stones, and countless women's church classes. Her Bible was as well-worn as her cleaning rags, and she spent decades teaching, cooking for church events, and hosting bridal and baby showers. She adored her Church of Christ families across Oklahoma and Texas, especially her beloved congregations in Muskogee, Norman, Fort Gibson, and Austin. Her faith didn't stop at the church door. Norma helped anyone in need. Whether it was feeding a struggling neighbor, chauffeuring a single mom, or "adopting" Air Force boys and preaching students in Austin, she lived out her faith daily. In the 1980s, inspired by Perry Mason, Norma enrolled at Northeastern State University to become a paralegal. She made straight A's...except in bowling, where she negotiated hard for a B. Perry would've been proud. Although Norma loved her family, it was obvious to us all that her secret heartthrob was actor James Garner. She was also very fond of Robert Wagner. For their 50th wedding anniversary, Lowell relented to this fantasy and bought her a 1976 Mercedes 450 SL, like the car Robert Wagner drove in "Hart to Hart." When it came to Norma, Lowell was a softie. In the 1990s, Norma earned her favorite title: "Emmy," a nickname from her courting days with John. She cherished time with her grandchildren, Laura, Greg, and Kimberly, and later with her great-grands, Miles, Emilia, and Rory. She attended every school event, graduation, and celebration possible, armed with her large black purse full of tissues, Doublemint gum, and tic tacs. Norma is survived by her sweetheart of 72 years, John Lowell Wilson; daughters Carol Wilson (Sandy York) and Linda Chambers (Barry); grandchildren Laura Chambers (Clay Waliski), Gregory Chambers (Brittany), and Kimberly Moseley (Broc); and great-grandchildren Miles and Emilia Chambers, and Rory Moseley. She also leaves behind sisters-in-law Dorothy Pride York and Martha Leavelle, cousin Rick McCalip, and a host of family and friends who loved her dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Royce Jr., brothers-in-law H.C. Pride and James York, and many beloved relatives who are no doubt welcoming her home with spotless hands and Endust-polished halos. A graveside service will be held at Fort Gibson National Cemetery on Friday, October 31, 2025,10 a.m., followed by a fellowship meal at Fort Gibson Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Burnt Cabin Christian Camp, Tipton Children's Home, St. Jude's, or the Alzheimer's Association. Norma's faith has become sight, and Heaven, at last, gleams just a little brighter, smelling unmistakably of Pine Sol. The family of Norma Jean Wilson has entrusted her care and service to Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home, Fort Gibson. 918-478-2555. Online condolences may be left for the family at clifforddgarrettfamilyfh.com

Norma Jean Wilson

July 22, 1935 - October 22, 2025