Norma A. Woodside Barber passed away Monday, May 20, 2024, at Mercy Hospice in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She was 100 years old.  She was born Norma A. Thompson in a farmhouse on May 17, 1924, in Edmond, Oklahoma, to the late Harry and Gladys (Brown) Thompson. Her grandfather made the Land Run into Oklahoma in 1889.  Her grandparents homesteaded in Okarche, Oklahoma. Norma attended Cleveland School, a one room school house (with a storm cellar) for grades first through eighth. When she was 7 years old, she ran in front of a car.  She bled a lot and received 27 stitches in her face without anesthesia.  Norma says she felt she had "walked through the valley of the shadow of death."

Norma graduated from Edmond High School in 1942.  That was the year a lot of the boys joined the service and some of them left before school was out.  It was a sad time for her.  Norma remembered living through the Depression, the Dust Bowl, and the grasshoppers.  She had many stories about them, which she would gladly share.  In high school, Norma was in Glee Club, A Capella Choir, and the 4-H Club.  At the state fair, she represented Oklahoma County at Oklahoma A & M in Stillwater.  She had many entries in the fair, and her homemade bread won first prize her junior year.  She attended one semester at Normal School in Edmond, which is now University of Central Oklahoma. In February 1943, Norma went to work at Douglas Aircraft Factory where she was trained to be a key-punch operator.  She had a great memory for numbers. She also learned to be "Rosie the Riveter."  Because she was petite, she could fit into the tail of the C-47 and buck rivets.  However, she had claustrophobia, so she only lasted about 6 months and returned to the key-punch area.  After the war, she attended another semester of college.  She married her first husband, Donovan Woodside, in 1946. He was in the Navy and later worked for RCA International Service Company causing them to live in 24 different states.  He died in 1975.  They had one child, a son, Dale Woodside who died in 1982. Oklahoma Department of Agriculture was Norma's next employment from February 1973 to November 1984.  She worked as a seed analysist, achieving the status as Seed Analysist II.

Norma was always ready to volunteer for whatever was needed.  She would volunteer at Vacation Bible School in the towns where they lived. She was also a Pink Lady at the Edmond Hospital, President of the Welcome Wagon in Miles City, Montana, and an assistant for 3 years at the Health Science Center at Central State College.  In 1991, Norma applied to become a foster grandparent to Edmond elementary students.  She soon began a relationship with everyone at Will Rogers Elementary School.  She became "Grandma Barber" to over 300 children, some who still remember her.  Norma and her husband Merle, whom she married in 1983 (they were childhood sweethearts at Cleveland School), became members of the Advisory Board for the Foster Grandparents of Oklahoma for two years after she retired in 1999. Norma was continually recognized for volunteering above and beyond the call of duty.  Her awards and recognitions, including proclamations from the Oklahoma State House of Representatives and the Oklahoma State Senate, during this time of foster grand-parenting are just too numerous to even begin to list.

In addition, Norma volunteered at the Edmond Historical Society Museum two Saturdays a month from 2001-2008. She would get excited and her eyes would sparkle when telling the children who toured the museum interesting stories about growing up on a farm and life in Oklahoma. Norma was a happy person with a joy for living. Norma always found a way to give back to the younger generations, whether they were related to her or not.  She always told her grandchildren, "You've got the same shoes to be glad in that you got mad in."  One of her favorite sayings was "Can't never did nothing" because if you convince a child not to use the word can't, they truly can accomplish anything.

Fort Smith, Arkansas, is where the next chapters of Norma's life began. She moved to Brookfield Assisted Living in October 2021.  Norma chose Fort Smith because some of her family live in or close to the Fort Smith area. Norma said she loved her room at Brookfield.  She said, "The workers are so friendly to me and make me feel like I'm home.  They keep the facility and my room clean, and it smells so good.  The kitchen staff is always eager to help me with my food selection and the food is delicious."  She was selected as Resident of the Month for September 2023.  She made new friends and was happy living at Brookfield Assisted Living in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  The Bridge Church welcomed Norma with open arms as the oldest member.  She enjoyed the parking and greeting team as they helped her to her seat every Sunday morning.  She became "Grandma" to everyone at The Bridge Church.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands; her son, R. Dale Woodside; and her brother, Milford Thompson.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Marcia Woodside of Fort Smith, Arkansas; her sister, Vivian Six of Fort Worth, Texas; three grandchildren, Jennifer Woodside of Fort Smith, Arkansas, JD Woodside and wife Angie of Franklin, North Carolina, and Trey Woodside and wife Christa of Siloam Springs, Arkansas; seven great-grandchildren, Jayden, Julian, Ava, Jenson, Calah, Rose, and Sydney; and her sister-in-law, Clara Faye Smart of Stephenville, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Norma's name to The Bridge Church, P.O. Box 180278 Fort Smith, AR  72918.

To place an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.