ENID, Okla. — Norma Lee Easterly, daughter of the
late Henry Charles Doherty and Marie Annabelle
(Dunbar) Doherty, was born at the family home in
Burlington, Okla., on Jan. 6, 1924. She passed away
on Christmas night, Dec. 25, 2012, in El Reno,
Okla., at the age of 88 years, 11 months, and 19
days.
Norma grew up in Burlington, Okla., but moved with her family to Alva her sophomore year. She graduated Valedictorian of the Alva High School Class of 1941. She attended Northwestern State College, where she studied business.
After 11⁄2 years of college, she applied for a job with the U.S. Government and was hired as a clerk-stenographer at the prisoner of war camp in Alva. She worked there from 1943-1945. Her next job opportunity took her to the U.S. Air Force base in Orlando, Fla., where she worked from 1945-1947. She then returned to the Alva area, working for the USDA Soil Conservation office from 1947-1951. From 1951-1953, Norma worked for Beech Aircraft in Wichita, Kan. It was during this time that she met the love of her life, state Rep. Ben B. Easterly.
Ben and Norma were united in marriage on Sept. 25, 1953, at The Blessed Sacrament Church in Wichita, Kan.
She returned to Alva and the USDA East Woods County Soil Conservation Service as a map-drafting specialist from 1957-1964.
Ben and Norma made their home in Alva, where they owned and operated the Alva Sales Co. for 15 years. Norma also worked at Riggs Advertising Agency, for whom she was a sales representative. She enjoyed an interesting and successful career in this field for more than 30 years.
Norma was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Altar Society and the Garden Club.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ben B. Easterly; brother, H.L. Doherty; sister, Octavia Oblander; and one grandson, Nathan Stewart.
She is survived by three daughters, Dee Dee Easterly of Irvine, Calif., Shelly Stewart and husband Monte of Amorita, Okla., and Chrysa Lehner and husband Tom of El Reno, Okla. She also leaves behind five grandchildren, Christina Arnold and husband Wade of Enid, Okla., Shawn Ketron of El Reno, Okla., Brandi Dotter and husband Wes of Stillwater, Okla., Kealy Schmidt and husband Levi of Edmond, Okla., and Emily Gillespie of Berkley, Calif.; and five great-grandchildren, Logan Stewart, Tyson and Wade Arnold Jr., and Alexis and Bennington Dotter.
A memorial service will be 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 4, 2013, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Alva, Okla. Graveside service will follow. Arrangements by OK Cremation & Mortuary of Oklahoma City.
(Submitted by family)
Norma grew up in Burlington, Okla., but moved with her family to Alva her sophomore year. She graduated Valedictorian of the Alva High School Class of 1941. She attended Northwestern State College, where she studied business.
After 11⁄2 years of college, she applied for a job with the U.S. Government and was hired as a clerk-stenographer at the prisoner of war camp in Alva. She worked there from 1943-1945. Her next job opportunity took her to the U.S. Air Force base in Orlando, Fla., where she worked from 1945-1947. She then returned to the Alva area, working for the USDA Soil Conservation office from 1947-1951. From 1951-1953, Norma worked for Beech Aircraft in Wichita, Kan. It was during this time that she met the love of her life, state Rep. Ben B. Easterly.
Ben and Norma were united in marriage on Sept. 25, 1953, at The Blessed Sacrament Church in Wichita, Kan.
She returned to Alva and the USDA East Woods County Soil Conservation Service as a map-drafting specialist from 1957-1964.
Ben and Norma made their home in Alva, where they owned and operated the Alva Sales Co. for 15 years. Norma also worked at Riggs Advertising Agency, for whom she was a sales representative. She enjoyed an interesting and successful career in this field for more than 30 years.
Norma was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Altar Society and the Garden Club.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ben B. Easterly; brother, H.L. Doherty; sister, Octavia Oblander; and one grandson, Nathan Stewart.
She is survived by three daughters, Dee Dee Easterly of Irvine, Calif., Shelly Stewart and husband Monte of Amorita, Okla., and Chrysa Lehner and husband Tom of El Reno, Okla. She also leaves behind five grandchildren, Christina Arnold and husband Wade of Enid, Okla., Shawn Ketron of El Reno, Okla., Brandi Dotter and husband Wes of Stillwater, Okla., Kealy Schmidt and husband Levi of Edmond, Okla., and Emily Gillespie of Berkley, Calif.; and five great-grandchildren, Logan Stewart, Tyson and Wade Arnold Jr., and Alexis and Bennington Dotter.
A memorial service will be 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 4, 2013, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Alva, Okla. Graveside service will follow. Arrangements by OK Cremation & Mortuary of Oklahoma City.
(Submitted by family)