Melda Appleberry Norton

Melda Appleberry Norton, age 84, of Pine Bluff, went to be with our Lord while hospitalized in Gainesville, Fla., on August 30, 2022. She was born in Sallisaw, Okla., on December 2, 1937, to the late Lee Watie and Roxie-Anne Bracket Watie, and attended Sallisaw schools. She married Willard F. Appleberry in 1953, and spent her early years as a homemaker until completing cosmetology school in 1970. Mrs. Norton went to work as a hairdresser for the Duchess Beauty Shop in Pine Bluff until she retired in the 1990s. She was a member of First Baptist Church and a former member of First Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church. Her favorite pastime was "calling those hogs" with her special sister, Bettie Ann Cantrell. She also loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Willard Appleberry in 2005, and Bob Norton in 2021; four sisters; and five brothers. Survivors include a son, Frank Appleberry (Toni); two daughters, Roxanne Solis and Maxine Miller (Brad); David Lupo (Susan), whom she loved as a son; six grandchildren, Jay Lupo (Jennifer), Ashly Thomas (Jason), Jordan Heath (Ryan), Will Appleberry, Coy Appleberry (Maray), and Kaden Appleberry (Logan); along with nine great-grandchildren and another on the way. Graveside services will be Friday, September 9, 2022, 10:30 a.m., at Cypress Memorial Gardens with Brother Ken Thornton and Brother David Harris officiating. Arrangements are by Fuller Hale-South Funeral Services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to First Baptist Church, 6501 S. Hazel Street, Pine Bluff, Ark. 71603. For online condolences, please visit FullerFunerals.com