Mary Belle Norrell's Obituary
Mary Belle Norrell, 97, of Claremore, Oklahoma, passed away on December 11, 2024, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Born on March 24, 1927, in Missouri to Walter Andrew and Anna Lathricia (Worley) Ervin, Mary Belle was a woman of profound faith, raised in church, who dedicated her life to giving people hope and taking care of others. Her radiant glow and heart of gold touched everyone who knew her.
Mary Belle was a caregiver to many, including her parents, husband, and other family members, as well as friends. She volunteered in the community, was involved in the 4-H Limestone extension homemakers, planned and cooked meals for Meals on Wheels, helped with Red Cross Blood donations, and was the first elected woman on the Rogers County Fair Board. A master carpenter and a hard worker with unparalleled strength, she built an addition to the family home, replaced beams, and tackled various jobs with her tractor.
She enjoyed fishing, loved her chickens, ducks, dogs, and kittens, showed appaloosa horses, and had the prettiest garden filled with sunflowers and other beautiful flowers. Mary Belle loved traveling and went on cruises and trips to Hawaii. She worked at Dillard’s and JC Penney’s in the notions department, sewing outfits for mannequins and modeling for ads. Remarkably, she personally knew "JC" Penney. She loved dancing and had a section of her closet dedicated to her beautiful gowns.
Mary Belle retired from the hayfield at 75, still capable of throwing square bales, and worked in her garden up until just a month ago. She was known to say, "If you can't have fun, give 'em hell."
Mary Belle is survived by her children, Johnny A Norrell and his wife Vanessa, Gail Bradford, and Sammie Lindsey and her husband Charles; her grandchildren, Ann and her husband Dustin, Lynn, John C, Makita, Iola, James, Shasta, Areal, and Colby; 13 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild; her sister, Betty Hadley; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Norrell; her brothers, Roy, Herb, Bud, and Jim; and her sisters, Bertha and Goldie "Tish".
Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, December 17th, at Floral Haven Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, December 18th, at the Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel.
Mary Belle's incredible legacy of faith, strength, and love will forever be remembered and cherished.
May she rest in peace.
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