Donna Sue Norris

Donna Sue Norris, 61, passed away the morning of Wednesday, February 15, 2017 in her residence in Oklahoma City, OK. She was a tremendous woman who took her duties as a mother very seriously. She devoted her life to her children, putting her own wants and needs on hold to raise them. Housewife was her main occupation, but she did eventually work as a teacher's assistant for years helping special needs children at Jarman Jr High and Cleveland Bailey Elementary schools and loved it. She was proud to even learn sign language to communicate with her class.

Donna was born July 26, 1955 in Merced California. She graduated Midwest City High School in 1973 and married Steven Dale Norris June 1st, 1974. One year later, Tracie Lynn Norris was born June 7th, 1975 at the Oklahoma University Medical Center. Tracie lives in Midwest City with her fiancée Jeff Young. Steve and Donna had a second and final daughter on October 12th, 1976 named Kerrie Dawn Norris. Kerrie died three and a half years later and is buried at Sunnylane Cemetery, in Del City. Her first son was born on March 2, 1981 and was named William Dale Norris. William currently resides in Midwest City with his wife Laura. Their second son, Johnathan Ray Norris was born on June 23rd, 1982 and currently resides in Yukon with his wife Jessica. Richard Alan Norris was born on October 2, 1985. Richard currently resides in Midwest City with his fiancée Brittney Arnold. She is preceded in death by her husband, Steve. Besides their four children, Donna is also survived by her mother, Patricia Benson, two siblings: Terry Benson and Deborah Lincoln, ten grandchildren: Adam, John, Kaitlin, Jordan, Rikki, Jaylyn, Jaidyn, Devyn, Logan, Brooklyn, and her great-grandchild, Avalynn.

Donna loved her husband Steve literally until the day he died. For better or worse, sickness and in health was very relevant the last few years Steve was alive. Their almost 40-year marriage is a great model of a loving couple. They sacrificed and worked to keep their marriage alive with love and patience. They never said a single belittling, degrading or hateful word to each other.

Donna and Steve always put their kids’ needs before their own. Donna in particular didn't have flashy clothes or expensive jewelry, although she loved to shop for clothes. Instead, she took great pride in her family by hanging pictures of them wherever she lived. She loved her family and friends and enjoyed being surrounded by sentimental things, like art her grand kids had drawn, or little knick-knacks and crafts she received as birthday or Christmas gifts. Music was very important to her. It was not uncommon to hear Elvis or Garth Brooks on the stereo as she cleaned the house, but you bet it was off in time to watch Survivor. She watched every episode.

She was her own person who didn't convert to people around her or ever compromise her beliefs. Donna was who she was, take it or leave it. Just don't talk bad about her kids, grand kids or great grand kids and life was good. She was always so supportive of her children. Always there to lend an ear when they needed it or crack a joke when you needed to hear it. Sometimes it might have even been a joke you had heard before or perhaps a funny moment from the distant past, but it always showed how important that specific thing was to her at the time.

One thing Donna was always so proud of is the military service of all three of her sons. William, Johnathon, and Richard Norris all served active duty in the United States Army. Johnathon and Richard both served 6 years, with William over 11 currently. Having all three sons serving with deployments was hard on her as a mother, but her pride and love for them was evident when she talked about them.

She loved talking about her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. Her favorite thing to do was hang out with her family. She shared pictures of her family on Facebook and was happiest around them. She leaves behind a loving family who were blessed to have had her as a mother, daughter, sister, and friend. She will be greatly missed.

Funeral Services to Celebrate the life of Donna will be held Monday, February 20, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Bill Eisenhour Southeast Chapel with Deacon Nancy Johnson officiating. Interment will follow at Sunny Lane Cemetery with the Shawnee Army Recruiting Center serving as pallbearers. Family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday, February 18, 2017 from 2-8 p.m. and Sunday, February 19, 2017 from 12-4 p.m.

Arrangements under the direction of Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home, Del City, Oklahoma.