Some things are more precious than moonbeams, stars and butterflies…

On June 12, 1933 in Muskogee, Oklahoma a beautiful baby girl was born to John T. and Caldonia Ellerby. She was he middle child to eight siblings and attended Old Agency Baptist Church where she accepted Christ at an early age. She attended Wheatley Elementary, and graduated from historic Manual Training High School in 1951. She enjoyed being in the chorus and business classes.

After graduating she met and married soldier John Henry Harris in August of that year. She was a military wife and homemaker and lived in Kentucky, Arizona, Alaska, New Jersey and Tehran, Iran. She was active in the DAV and made many friends wherever she lived. She loved to cook and entertain, and in the kitchen she reigned supreme. She was always a hit with the neighborhood children surprising them with treats and games.

Shortly after arriving in Tehran, the family was grief stricken by the accidental death of the two year old daughter in 1962. Upon returning from overseas in 1964 the marriage was dissolved.

Norma enjoyed being around her family once again. She enjoyed her various relatives, classmates and loved when they dropped by. Although she never learned to drive she kept up with what everybody was doing. Her out-of-state classmates knew who to contact. One of her favorite hobbies was birthdates. She was known on radio station KBIX as the birthday lady phoning in every weekday morning.

When her nest became empty she sought employment in daycare and worked at Muskogee Day Nursery for some 23 years. In 1981, she was given an Oklahoma Citation for Excellence as a preschool teacher by Representative Jim Barker. In 1982 she welcomed the move of her grandchildren to Muskogee. Although she loved them and spoiled them she still remained as Class #2 teacher until 1993. She then became caregiver to a special little boy from 9 months until four years old and could be seen walking him around her neighborhood. She loved receiving cards and letters from her daycare kids as they grew up.

Norma remained independent until her health began to decline in 2018. She became a resident of The Springs Skilled Nursing Center where she was loved and cared for. On Tuesday morning of December 1 ^st she slept away to heavenly realm and reward.

She is preceded in death by her parents John and Caldonia Ellerby, eight siblings Loretta Yokley, Evelyn Watkins, Clifford Ellerby, Dorothy Jean Ellerby, Thomas Ellerby, Margaret Reece, and Shirley Ellerby. Two special cousins Maurice Eazel and Herman Barrett and one child Sharon Renee Harris.

She leaves to cherish her memory, children Elizabeth Hanley, Muskogee, Norman Harris, John Henry Harris, Jr. and Eugene Leroy Harris of Muskogee. Three grandchildren Shayna Cherie Hanley, Tampa, FL, Jared Daniel Hanley, Houston, TX and Bennett Elizabeth Harris, Atlanta, GA. One great-grandchild Aaron M. Hanley, Grenada, MS, nieces Carolyn Williams (Reuben) and Nancy Ousley (Edwin) and great-nieces Kijafa Tilford and Nyla. Three special classmates Cedric Johnson, Sadie M. Stokes, Marcella Smith.

A Home Going Service will be conducted Friday, December 11, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. in the Precious Memories Chapel, House of Winn Funeral Home, 2200 Military Blvd, Muskogee, OK. Rev. Gary Hall, eulogist. Interment will follow in Booker T. Washington Cemetery, Muskogee, OK.

Visitation, Thursday, December 10, 2020, 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

NOTE: SERVICES streamed FACEBOOK LIVE (jackiebrewer stay home parent)

MASKS ARE REQUIRED AT ALL SERVICES

The family has been cared for by House of Winn Funeral Home-Muskogee.