Norma Elaine Thomison

Norma Elaine (Sanders) Thomison was born in Centralia, Illinois on April 13, 1945 to Fred and Merle Sanders. She passed from this life on January 19, 2023, in Lindsay, Oklahoma, at the age of 77. Norma attended grade school and Jr. high school in Centralia, Illinois. She moved to Healdton, Oklahoma at age 15. Norma graduated from Healdton High School in 1963. Norma met and married Jerry Thomison of Ardmore in 1964. Jerry had joined the U.S. Naval Reserve in August 1964 and Norma moved to San Diego, California in 1965 to join Jerry while he was on active duty for 2 years. While in California Norma went to stay with her dad in nearby Riverside, California and while there a son, Rodney Lane Thomison was born. Norma returned to Ardmore in 1967 while Jerry was out to sea during the Vietnam conflict. When Jerry finished serving his active duty, the family moved to Houston, Texas where Jerry was employed by the Boeing Co. Jerry was transferred to Ft. Worth with Boeing. In 1970, Norma and Jerry moved back to Ardmore. While in Ardmore she was employed with the Ardmore Public Library. She and her mom both lived in town homes in NW Ardmore. Norma relocated to Norman, Oklahoma in 1983 to be near her son Rodney and her mom, who also had moved to Norman. Norma worked at several places in Oklahoma City including Demarge College, where she was a senior secretary. Norma loved country and western music and was an excellent dancer. She had a special passion for animals. Rather than see dogs or cats euthanized at the animal shelter, she was an advocate for second chance adoption. She provided homes for several dogs and cats through the Norman Second Chance animal sanctuary. One of the joys in Norma’s life was reconnecting with her biological daughter, Kim Newman Allen of Kingston, Oklahoma. Norma had several very close friends in southern Oklahoma including: Betty Raby-Jones, Judy Butts, Lou Ann Payne, Ida Norman, Shirley Christian, and Shirley Helm. Norma was preceded in death by her mother and father, Merle and Howard Downey and brother Freddie Sanders. Survivors include: Rodney Lane Thomison, Kim Newman Allen, and her husband Jesse; Kim’s children: Mekenzi Love and her husband Brad and their son Bennett. Madison Tuley and her husband Lewis and their son Aiden. A celebration of Norma’s life will be held in Norman, Oklahoma at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to: Second Chance Animal Sanctuary in Norman, Oklahoma. Arrangements are under the direction of Scott and Angel Wilbourn of Wilbourn Family Funeral Home in Lindsay, Oklahoma. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.wilbournfamilyfuneralhome.com

Norma Elaine Thomison

April 13, 1945 - January 19, 2023

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