of Bella Vista, AR
December 10, 1932 - September 28, 2022
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Jimmie Dale Norman, 89, of Bella Vista, Arkansas on September 28, 2022 after a very full life.
Jimmie was born on December 10, 1932 to Orlan and Bessie Lee (Jobe) Norman in Romance, Arkansas. After graduating from Rose Bud High School in 1950 he joined the US Navy for a 3 year tour. He was stationed on the U.S.S. Arneb and spent time throughout the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic. Upon returning to civilian life, he used his GI Bill to go to Beebe Junior College, where he met a young lady that captured his heart, Ruby Lynn Barnett. Jimmie and Ruby married on August 25, 1955. Jimmie found work at McDonald Douglas Aircraft in 1956 and relocated his family to O'Fallon, Missouri just outside of St. Louis. Jimmie worked for McDonald Douglas for the next 40 years. After they retired, they moved to Jupiter, Florida, where he could watch his beloved St. Louis Cardinals at their spring training facility. He held season tickets for the next 21 years, where he became a constant fixture on the 1st Base line during every Cardinal event. He had an entire wardrobe of Cardinal attire, drove a red convertible and even used a red walker in honor of the Cardinals. He was able to attend one All Star game at Busch Stadium and two world series and was excited to know the Cardinals made it to the division playoffs just before his death. Jimmie loved, even more than the St. Louis Cardinals, spending time with his loving wife, his children, his grandchildren and especially his great-grandchildren.
Jimmie was very active in his church his entire life, taking various leadership roles at every church they attended. Jimmie and Ruby had recently joined the Bella Vista Baptist Church and enjoyed many activities with that congregation.
Jimmie was preceded in death by his parents, Orlan and Bessie Lee Norman and sister, Bessie Mae Griffin. He is survived by his wife, Ruby, of 67 years; his children, Brent (Theresa) Norman and Shela (Lori) Norman; an adopted daughter, Iliana from Mexico, and Tricia (mother of his grandchildren). He was the proud grandfather of Brenna (Kevin) Ferrell, BT (Jeanette) Norman and the proudest great-grandfather of Bryce Ferrell, Chloe Ferrell, Aiden Norman and Ruby Norman.
Services will be held at the Roller Daniels Funeral Home in Searcy, Arkansas, Saturday October 1, 2022 at 1pm. Visitation will be available from 12noon to 1pm. Burial service will be at the Romance Cemetery immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the US Navy Memorial Fund at navymemorial.org.