Obituary for Norma Ellis

Norma Jean Ellis

May 18, 1934 – June 11, 2019

Norma Jean Ellis of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died Tuesday, June 11, 2019, at her home at the age of 85 years.

Norma Jean Ellis was born on May 18, 1934, in Bridgeport, Oklahoma, to John Leroy and Ruby Jane (Pedigo) Challis Sr. She grew up in Bridgeport attending Bridgeport Elementary School before moving to Blackwell where she attended rural school. She finished her education in the Blackwell Public Schools. She married Lawrence Edward Ellis on March 24, 1950, in Blackwell and she served her family as a homemaker. Her husband preceded her death on February 20, 2014, and she continued to make Blackwell her home. She was a member of the First Free Will Baptist Church and enjoyed baking, sewing, playing bingo and the many family gatherings throughout the year.

She is survived by two daughters, Sherry Little of Blackwell and Virginia Corless and husband Wayne of Choctaw; three sons, Charles Ellis and wife Jeannie of Paragould, Arkansas, LeRoy Ellis and wife Vronda of Newton, Kansas, and Bill Ellis and wife Charlotte of Blackwell; two brothers, Grant Challis of Ponca City and Billy Challis of Moore; a sister, Shirley Hayes of Ponca City; fourteen grandchildren, Amy Hollis and husband Danny of Paragould, Arkansas, Keith Ellis of Paragould, Arkansas, Brian Ellis and wife Carrie of Ponca City, Melissa Rangel and husband Steven of Newton, Kansas, Valerie Garver and husband Josh of Newton, Kansas, Lynda Luna of Horatio, Arkansas, Jennifer Barnes and Coleman Dillon of Horatio, Arkansas, Steven Ford, Mike Gaither and wife Christal of Blackwell, Deborah McClaflin and Tim Sisco of Blackwell, Jason Corless and wife Dawn of Midwest City, Robert Corless and wife Christine of Savannah, Georgia, Amanda Clark and husband Zach of Choctaw, and Lance Wilson; thirty-one great grandchildren, Caleb, Isaac and Moriah Hollis, Tiffany Hightower and husband Ryan, Michael Olmstead and wife Tonya, Shelbie Ellis, Erika Lally, Andy Ellis, Storm Lally and wife Amber, Dallas Funk and wife Azzie, Devon Funk, Caylee Garver, Joel Felipe and Tammy Hutchinson, Erica Buckhanan and husband Joshua, Robby Fernandez and wife Katelynn, Samantha Borrego and Jae Thigpen, Robert Barnes, Jeffery Butzback, Jessica Butzback and Max Ingram, Wade Butzback, Victoria Holland and Desperado Williams, Steven Holland, Billy Moore and Mattea Ball, Tillie Gaither, Katelynn Gaither, Emily Gaither, Cathy Gaither, Jonathan Corless, Max Corless, Aiden East, and Shane Clark; and twenty great great grandchildren, Caleb Holmes, Ezra Olmstead, Breniyah Lally, Morija Felipe, Carley Walcott, Jacob Shert, William Shert, Samantha Shert, Madison Hutchinson, Mia Walcott, Kole Fernandez, Tanner Walcott, Erynn Williamson, Joshua Buckhanan Jr., Lyndon Buckhanan, Kenzlie Thigpen, Cayden Crow, Graison Chambers, Braylynn Butzback, and Camreigh Moore.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Jack Challis, Opal Challis, Arlene Leonard, Lucy Plunk, Iona Byrd and Ruby Storck; a granddaughter, Janet Butzback; and a grandson, Clinton Ellis.

Services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 15th in the First Free Will Baptist Church in Blackwell with Rev. Kevin Bookout officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery.

Casketbearers will be Brian Ellis, Mike Gaither, Keith Ellis, Jason Corless, Desperado Williams and Tim Sisco.

A memorial has been established in her honor with the First Free Will Baptist Church in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.