Patsy “Pat” Ruth (Raley) Norman
October 19,1931- October 9, 2025
Patsy “Pat” Ruth (Raley) Norman was born on October 19, 1931, in El Dorado, Kansas, the only child of Truman and Bessie (McGuire) Raley. She departed this life on October 9, 2025, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, at the age of 93.
On March 3, 1951, Patsy was untied in marriage in Salem, Arkansas, to her childhood sweetheart, Dave Welch Norman. Together they shared sixty-four wonderful years of marriage and built a beautiful life and family near Couch, Missouri.
She is survived by her three children: Deborah Ann Mitchener and husband, Patrick, of Jonesboro, Arkansas; Nancy Norman of Kansas City, Missouri; and Mark Elton Norman and wife, Shelia, of Wilmington, North Carolina; five grandchildren, Michelle Leigh Laws and husband, James, and Matthew Alan Mitchener and wife, Hailey, both of Jonesboro, Arkansas; Whitney (Norman) Curtis and husband, Eric, of Killeen, Texas; Kirsten Brook (Norman) Slusher and husband, Keenan, of Roanoke, Virginia; and Jillian Olivia Norman of Wilmington, North Carolina; and seven great-grandchildren, Myka, Alexa, Luke, and Hadden Laws,; Tyler and Kipton Mitchener; and Quinn Slusher. Plus, a soon-to-be born great grandchild to Eric and Whitney Curtis. She is also survived by many other relatives and dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dave Norman; her parents, Truman and Bessie Raley; her son, Paul David Norman; and other loved ones who welcomed her home.
Patsy was a proud graduate of Alton High School. During her time at Alton High School Patsy was the senior class President and participated in the women’s volleyball team. After graduation she attended Southwest Missouri State College in Springfield, Missouri. Following her marriage, she accompanied Dave during his service in the United States Air Force. During that time Dave and Patsy lived in Phoenix, Arizona, San Antonio, Texas, Denton, Texas, and Champagne, Illinois. After his enlistment, the couple returned home and began dairy farming on the family farm in Couch, Missouri, where they worked side by side for many years. Together, they established one of the first Grade A dairy farms in Oregon County and earned numerous honors, including the Registered Holstein Association Progressive Breeders Award, the Missouri State Holstein Production Award, and the Distinguished Missouri Holstein Award. Their family was named the Oregon County Farm Family of the Year and later honored as a Missouri Century Farm.
In addition to her work on the farm, Patsy was a dedicated educator who taught in several local schools, including Nebo, Alton, and Couch. She took great pride in beginning her teaching career at Nebo School, her first classroom position. Patsy was deeply involved in the Couch School community, where she served as PTA President, and in community projects through various extension clubs, plus supporting countless school activities. Teaching brought her immense joy, and she cherished the many students whose lives she touched throughout her career.
Patsy was known for her kind heart, steadfast faith, and deep devotion to her family. A long-time member of the Alton Church of Christ, she faithfully attended and served for many years. She loved her community and found joy in life’s simple pleasures-spending time with her family, following local sports, tending to her plants and flowers, and caring for her beautiful home and yard. Patsy also loved playing piano for her family, singing gospel and Christmas songs, sewing, and sharing her warmth and hospitality with everyone she met.
She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, teacher, and friend. Her gentle spirit, kindness, grace, and love will continue to inspire all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Alton Church of Christ, 1571 RR71, Alton, Missouri, 65606
Officiating will be Minister Arvil Hill and Minister Dennis Willard, eulogist will be Michelle Laws, obituary read by Steve Biffle, and singers will be Van and Betsy McGibney and James McGuire. Pallbearers will be Matthew Mitchener, Tyler Mitchener, Kipton Mitchener, James Laws, Luke Laws, David McGuire, and James McGuire.
A Visitation will be on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel of Thayer, Missouri until time of the Funeral at 11:00 a.m.
Burial will be on Tuesday, October 14, 20225, at the New Salem Cemetery of Couch, Missouri.
Services in care of Carter Funeral Home Inc., – Thayer, Missouri