Norma Holley

Norma Joan Whiteley was born on November 25, 1931, the fiercely independent and strong willed daughter of John and Edna (McNabb) Whiteley in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Norma grew up in the country near Catoosa; her family later moved to Broken Arrow where she attended middle school and high school. While at Broken Arrow High School, she was voted the distinguished honor of football queen. She married Lloyd Robert Hudson and raised two children, Lloyd Bruce and Jeffrey Mark. Norma went on to advance her education at The University of Tulsa, finishing at the top of her undergraduate class. She earned multiple awards and grants, culminating in a PhD for Modern Letters in 1978; her dissertation is referenced extensively by other researchers. She taught English literature at various area colleges, eventually retiring from Tulsa Junior College in 1987. Norma was grounded by her strong faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was an active member of First Baptist Church of Broken Arrow and later Asbury Methodist Church in Tulsa, where she enjoyed writing newsletters for her Sunday School class.. Later in life, Norma married Leman M. Holley. Together, they travelled to Elderhostels across the United States. In addition to traveling, Norma enjoyed listening to music, reading, writing poetry, and spending time with her pets. She maintained her commitment to lifelong learning. Norma was preceded in death by her parents, John and Edna Whitely, her older son Lloyd Bruce Hudson, and her husband Lehman M. Holley. She is survived by her sister Joyce (Wayne) McBride of Fountain Valley, California, her son Jeffrey Hudson of Broken Arrow, daughter-in-law Mary Hudson of Greenville, TX, grandchildren Nicole Hudson of Tulsa, Amanda (Keith) Schoenefeld of Frisco, Texas, Christie (Philip) Ash of Greenville, TX, Matt Kirkpatrick of Tolleson, Arizona, Lloyd (Heather) Hudson Jr. of Greenville, Texas, 12 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. “So live, that when thy summons comes to join The innumerable caravan, which moves To that mysterious realm, where each shall take His chamber in the silent halls of death, Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night, Scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave, Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.” – Thanatopsis, William Cullen Bryant

Tributes

Norma Holley

November 25, 1931 - October 19, 2022