Kathleen Norman

Kathleen Norman, age 83, of Quitman, Arkansas, passed away Sunday, July 29, 2012, at Southridge Village Assisted Living in Heber Springs. Born in Cleburne County, Arkansas, on August 22, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Guy and Sarah Rose Etter Forbus Simmons. A longtime resident of Cleburne County, Mrs. Norman had been employed by Ely Walker at the shirt factory in Heber Springs. She and her husband Thomas were longtime residents of the Hopewell community, and after he passed away, she moved to Quitman where their daughters live. Kathleen's loving attitude, gentleness, and kindness endeared her to her family and friends. She was a member of the Hopewell Primitive Baptist Church. Family members who preceded her in death include her parents; her husband, Thomas M. Norman, who passed away on April 17, 2001; and one brother, Arvil Simmons. Mrs. Norman is survived by two daughters, Linda Griffith and her husband, Gary, and Kathy Bettis and her husband, Charles, all of Quitman; one sister, Dorothy Arlene Brown of Quitman; three grandchildren, Carl Griffith, Carol Johnson, and Melissa Ritter; and seven great-grandchildren, Weston Griffith, Jessica Johnson, Evan Johnson, Jared Ritter, Thomas Ritter, Tyler Ritter, and Tanner Ritter. Mrs. Norman is also survived by other relatives and her many friends. Visitation will be held Monday, July 30, at Olmstead Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 31, at the South Cross Roads Church at 10:30 a.m. with Elder John Cooper and Elder Danny Adcock officiating. Interment will follow in the South Cross Roads Cemetery. Chris Boyd, Kenneth Norman, Colin Dale Norman, Dale Norman, Altis Holliman, and Carl Griffith will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are her great-grandchildren: Weston Griffith, Jessica and Evan Johnson, and Jared, Thomas, Tyler, and Tanner Ritter. The family wishes to express their appreciation to Southridge Village Assisted Living for their loving care. Memorials may be made to Hospice Homecare, 821-A Northcreek, Conway, Ark. 72032. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Heber Springs. www.olmstead.cc.