Upon graduating from high school, Norma attended Draughon Business School in Oklahoma City and received Professional Secretary Certification. After marriage, she and LK made their home in the Oklahoma City/Moore area where she worked at Tinker Air Force Base and the Federal Aviation Administration. After LK’s retirement in 2001, they moved to Poteau. In 2002, at age 64, she began a new career as a receptionist at her son-in-law’s medical practice, Dewey Medical Center. She had never worked with computers, but quickly learned. She remained in this position for almost 18 years, retiring at age 81. She loved the patients and her co-workers, building lasting relationships with many of them.
Norma was famous for making the BEST fudge! Her family, coworkers, and even her children’s coworkers eagerly anticipated the holidays, knowing that Norma would share her homemade fudge with them. Norma’s greatest legacy is the family she loved so dearly and the memories she created with them.
Norma was the best mom in the world to Sheri and Janie and became the best mother-in-law to Dennis and Scott, who she treated as her own. The pride and joy of her heart were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. LK and her family were everything to her.
Norma is survived by:
Two daughters:
Sheri and Dennis Carter, Ft. Smith, Arkansas
Janie and Scott Hairrell, Heavener, Oklahoma
Four grandchildren:
Amy and Brock Wilson
Jon and Halsey Hairrell
Sara Carter
Wade Hairrell
Great-grandchildren:
Carter, Tucker, Brady, and Grant Wilson
Lottie, Elisabeth, and Emilia Hairrell
One sister:
Reba Chronister, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
One brother-in-law:
Bill and Lynne Pitchford, Heavener, Oklahoma
Two sisters-in-law:
Rachel Scantling, Heavener, Oklahoma
Pat Pitchford, Bossier City, Louisiana
Numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends
Norma is preceded in death by her husband LK; her parents; four brothers Glen, Leonard, Sokie, and Douglas Scantling; two sisters Fern Turner and Velma Benefield; and two sisters-in-law, Lavell Scantling and Tommye Scantling.
Pallbearers will be: Dennis Carter, Scott Hairrell, Jon Hairrell, Wade Hairrell, Brock Wilson, Len Scantling, and Michael Scantling.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home in Heavener, Oklahoma with Pastor Mark Cook officiating. Burial will follow in Heavener Memorial Park under the care and direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home in Heavener, Oklahoma.
Viewing will be 1:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Friday. The family will visit with friends on Friday from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the funeral home. To sign Norma’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.

