June 2, 1929 – March 27, 2024
Norma Lee Harris Ballenger was born June 2, 1929, in rural Okfuskee County near Lester, at Woodard’s Corner, to parents Isaac “Dutch” Harris and Carrie Morse Harris. She passed from this life on March 27, 2024, at her home in Okmulgee County.
Norma attended Pharaoh High School in Okfuskee County and graduated as Salutatorian in 1946. In school, Norma loved and excelled at basketball and made straight A’s. After high school, Norma’s family moved to Okmulgee. Norma continued to play sports as a young woman including basketball, softball and bowling.
In 1947, she re-connected with a childhood friend who had also moved to Okmulgee to work in a shop with Norma’s dad. Leonard Ballenger was invited over for dinner after work and the rest was history. She won his heart with one of her famous homecooked meals. They were married in January of 1948 and were happily together for 70 years until Leonard’s death in 2018.
Norma worked at various places throughout her life including Kress’s and Anthony’s in Okmulgee, the Okmulgee County Treasurer’s Office, and the Okmulgee Employment Office. But her main focus in life was raising her three boys, George, Roger, and Roy. She loved attending all of their sports events and supporting the teams.
Norma and Leonard bought a farm north of Okmulgee in 1967 and raised Beefmaster Cattle. In retirement, they enjoyed fishing and camping with friends and family.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Senator Roger Ballenger and Roy Ballenger; three brothers, John, Clifford, and Glenn Harris; three sisters, Leon Adams, Marjorie “Margie” Wilburn, and Louise Osburn; and one grandson, Austin Ballenger.
She is survived by her son George Ballenger and wife Louise of Okmulgee; one sister, Eula Brown of Okmulgee; daughter-in-law Cimone Ballenger of Okmulgee; grandchildren Kim Fetgatter and husband Scott of Okmulgee, Clay Ballenger of Jenks, Wade Ballenger and wife Sarah of Eagle Creek, Oregon, Amy Ballenger of Okmulgee, Eleanor “Ellie” Norena and husband Octavio of Florida, and David Nelson and wife Kellie of Morris; 10 great-grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Clay Ballenger, Wade Ballenger, Wyatt Ballenger, Cody Fetgatter, David Nelson and Scott Fetgatter.
Arrangements are entrusted to Schaudt’s Okmulgee Funeral Service & Cremation Care, 220 S. Alabama, Okmulgee, OK 74447. Family and friends may leave kind words of comfort, special memories and condolences to the family online at www.schaudtfuneralservice. com.
