Norma Jo McCarrell

Norma Jo McCarrell was born to Blanche Gwynn Moore and Leondard Moore, March 14th, 1937, Clinton, Illinois. She was married to Elebert Wayne McCarrell for almost 65 years before his passing on February 2nd, 2019. Norma passed from this life on December 12, 2024, surrounded by family in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
She graduated from Arlington High School in Arlington, Texas in 1955. Norma married the love of her life at the age of 16 years old after meeting Wayne at the Arlington Movie Theater. She loved horseback riding. Norma played professional softball. She worked in Dallas in an insurance company with her mother. Norma was in the marine business with her husband in Arlington, Texas. They both taught water skiing during the summer. Wayne decided to buy a plane even though neither of them had a pilot's license. They both learned to fly, which was the beginning of her flight plan in 1961. Wayne didn't realize the monster he created when he drove Norma to a women's pilot organization. She joined the International Women Pilots Association known as the Ninety-Nines of which she has been a member ever since. Norma has served as Treasurer, Vice President and President of the Ninety-Nines. She judged collegiate flying competitions for 40 years as a member of the board for the National Intercollegiate Flying Association. At that time, she was one of the first women in the world to be appointed an international competition judge, rising to the rank of Juror. Norma Jo participated twice in the AWTAR flying event. Norma participated twice in the Air race classic flying event. She is a past member of the AWTAR Board and has served as the Chairman of the Air Age Education SCS. Being a hard worker and fast learner, Norma Jo earned her CA, IRA, CFI, and IFI in a period of six months. She was a licensed flight instructor, air taxi and charter pilot. Some of her memberships include: AOPA, FFA, NAEA, Golden Triangle Chapter 99s, Oklahoma Chapter of 99s, Arkansas Cattlemen Association, member of Kern Heights Baptist Church in De Queen. She cherished the time spent with her family. She loved her family, grandkids and great grandkids.
Norma Jo is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Elbert Wayne McCarrell, one brother Ronnie Grimes, a sister Linda Sue Little and granddaughter Jody Lee.
Norma is survived by her one daughter and son in law Cindy Lee Frachiseur and Morgan Frachiseur of Gillham; Grandchildren, Alan and Christy Lee of Gillham, Arkansas, and Megan and Cliff Randall of Monterey, Louisiana; her four great grandchildren that she adored, Kix Wayne Lee, R.J. Smith, Bristol R Lee, and Lakyen Sue Randall; a sister in law, Delouris Wages of Arlington, Texas, nieces and nephews; Deanna and Rick Harrison of Tom, Oklahoma, DeLisa Blanchard, Tyler, Texas, Rowdy and Liz Pope of Molino, Florida, Dawn and David Waterhouse of Clinton, Illinois, and a host of great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. She also leaves special friends Jerry Ann Jurenka, Stephanie Roberts, Jan Maxwell, and Linda Hooker. She also loved her beloved grand dog Sniper.
Memorial Services will be held at Kern Heights Baptist Church on February 8, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home in De Queen. You may send an online condolence to www.chandlerfuneral.com or visit Chandler Funeral Home on Facebook.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Amelia Earhart Foundation can be made to https://aebm.square.site/product/norma-jo-mccarrell-memorial/875