Norma Stearman

Norma Jean Mills Stearman, 81 of Independence passed from this life May 30, 2011 in Blue Springs, Mo. Mrs. Stearman was born on Dec. 14, 1929 to Samuel Irving and Coy Mae Brannon Mills in Shawnee, OK. She graduated from Shawnee High School in 1948. After graduation she was preparing an Art portfolio to apply to the KC Art Institute when the SHS burned down with her portfolio inside. She married Billy Dean Stearman of Shawnee in Sept. 1948 Norma was a founding member of the Seminole Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints now known as Community of Christ Church of Seminole, OK. She and Billy lived in Shawnee, Oklahoma City, Guthrie, Tecumseh, Oklahoma, before moving to Independence, Missouri in 1985. Norma loved going to church reunions and camps. Bill and Norma were Jr. High Youth leaders in the 60's/70's and operated Jr. High Camps for the OKC District for many years. Norma worked at various jobs including TG & Y in OKC and the Del Rancho Restaurant in Shawnee, OK. Her favorite job memory was teaching at a OKC Park's & Rec. preschool during the time it was de-segregated. In her latter years, despite many health problems, she loved to read books, fill photo albums, watch old movies, grow flowers, care for her cats and enjoyed watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren grow up. Norma was preceded in death by her husband Billy Dean Stearman in 2007, and by her parents and step father Roy Hopkins. She is survived by daughters Belinda DeAun Young and husband Dennis of Buckner, Mo.and Judith Ann Graham and husband Jim of Germany soon to be retired to Tennessee; Sons Michael David Stearman and wife Paula of Shawnee, Ok.and Jerry Mark Stearman and wife Lisa of Mountainburg, Ark. 13 grandchildren Kori and Brad Semeski, Samuel and Tara Young, Megan and Dennis Giles, Matt and Janine Stearman, Marc Stearman, Luke and Laura Young, Dr. Levi Young, Eric Graham, Michele Stearman, Benjamin Young, Pete and Mindi Young, Julie and Stephen Stearman and 11 great grandchildren: Madison, Landen and Kaysen Semeski, Trinity, Caleb and Sienna Young, Dawna, Gabriel and David Stearman, Eden Young, and Brynn Young. Norma will be interred with her husband Billy in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery, Higginsville, MO at 1 PM Friday June 3rd. A Visitation will be held from 6 – 7:00 pm Fri. Jun. 3, 2011 at the Osage Hills Community of Christ Church 27503 E. Blue Mills Road, Sibley Mo. 64088 with a memorial service following at 7:00 pm. Online condolences may be expressed to the Family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements by Speaks Buckner Chapel, 300 Adams St, Buckner, MO 816-650-5555)