Norma Jean Bendure

Norma Jean (Gore) Bendure, 87, of Chouteau, passed away on January 25, 2025, after a brief illness.
Born September 17, 1937, in Locust Grove, Oklahoma, Norma was a member of the Locust Grove First United Methodist Church. She was in the Locust Grove Class of 1955 and attended the Muskogee Beauty College after graduation. She owned and operated a beauty salon in Locust Grove for two years before marriage.
On September 19, 1959, she married James E. Bendure of Chouteau, Oklahoma. Over the years, they traveled all over the country and visited many distinguished places. In July 1960, daughter Jamie Lynn was born in Kingwood, West Virginia. In October 1967, son Robert Duane was born in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.
In high school, Norma played piano for her father's quartet, the Hogan Quartet. Music was always important to Norma; she taught her children to love it, too. She was active in Athletic and Band Booster clubs for her children and always attended every game. She was often referred to as "Mom Bendure" by their friends and would have treats available to them when they visited. Norma took great joy in hosting and cooking meals for her extended family, beginning as a child feeding her siblings as her parents worked their dairy farm and continuing throughout her life at holiday celebrations and simple Sunday dinners as she gathered with loved ones.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Goldie Austin Gore, brother Jim Gore, and her two sisters, Marilyn Sue Gore Thornberry and Cheryl Rene Gore Jones.
She is survived by her husband of sixty-five years, James, of Chouteau; a daughter, Jamie Bendure, of Springdale, Arkansas; and a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Susan Bendure, of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Verna Detweiler is a special "honorary" family member who cared for her needs for many years. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and their children, who loved her dearly.
The family would like to thank ViaLife Hospice and Extended Family Respite Care for their remarkable support and care during her illness.
The family will receive friends from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at the Stephens-Key Chapel in Pryor.
The celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Locust Grove, with Reverend Don Bendure officiating. Interment will follow at the Hogan Cemetery South in Locust Grove.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the First United Methodist Church of Locust Grove, Oklahoma, in Norma's name. Online condolences may be made at www.stephens-key.com or on the funeral home Facebook page. Arrangements are in care of Stephens-Key Funeral and Cremation Care of Pryor.