Norma Jean was born on December 18, 1933 to Wilburn Murrah and Letha Pearl (Wright) Eddings and passed into eternal life on January 25, 2025 at the age of 91. She spent her early life traveling with the family as migrant farmers. One of her favorite books was A Painted House by John Grisham because it reminded her of her life growing up as a migrant farmer.
She worked for many years as a waitress at Garland’s Restaurant and Bill Moore’s in South OKC. Norma Jean loved to read and work crossword puzzles. She kept an immaculate home and her yard and flowerbeds were the envy of all the neighbors. She loved her family dearly and bragged about them every chance she got. She would sing Over the Rainbow to her children at naptime and the tradition of singing continued with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren when she sang Inchworm by Danny Kay and all songs by Patsy Cline. She had the most beautiful smile, blue eyes and gorgeous dimples. Those dimples were probably part of the reason she caught the eye of her husband of 63 years, David Bales. They were married on July 8, 1950. To this union, five children would be born. Norma Jean was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dave; son, Freddy Bales; great-grandson, Wyatt David Campbell; siblings, Illa Rue, Ruby, Wilburn, Audrey and Velma.
Left to cherish her memory are her children Jeanie Lehman and husband Billy; Charlotte Bales; Sharon Bales; and Jimmy Bales. Five grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren; sister, Barbara Wesley; brother in law, Don Bales and wife Vicki; sister in law, Kathy Bales; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to give thanks to the staff at Excel Hospice and Baptist Village for the love, care and compassion given to our precious Mom and Grandma.
