Norma Ruth Calavan

Norma Ruth Calavan was born on August 5, 1935, in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. She was the beloved daughter of George Dewey and Angie Grace (Tennis) Hale. She married the love of her life, Roy Calavan; sharing many years of life, marriage, and memories together. She will always be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt (known as Aunt Toot) and friend whose love and faith shaped generations. She met her Saviour Jesus Christ on Sunday, March 15, 2026 with her sons and daughter at her bedside. Norma was a submissive and helping partner to her husband for 55 years until his passing. She was a devoted and cherished mother who gave of herself sacrificially. It was never about her; it was about who she loved! She was the truest example of a “Proverbs 31” woman. She worked tirelessly keeping her family fed, keeping an immaculate house, sewing clothes for her family, raising a garden, and canning enough food to last till the next year. She worked alongside Roy on the farm running tractors and equipment, cutting and baling hay, plowing fields, feeding farm hands, taking care of cattle, and many times doing this alone when Roy traveled all week working for Hesston Corporation. She would have to pull calves all hours of the day or night by herself, chop ice on ponds when they were frozen, bring calves inside the house when the temperatures were below freezing to keep them alive. She was a “one of a kind” worker and farmhand as well as the best mom her family could ask for. Her hands were never idle. Norma also opened her home to numerous young men who needed love, fed, and encouraged when her children were home and today, she still has many who call her “Mom”. Your names are too numerous to mention, but you know who you are and she loved you dearly. Thanks to all of you for loving her back and letting her use her gifts that God gave her to love you and fulfill her purpose! She loved all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren passionately AND THEY LOVED HER BACK PASSIONATELY! What a blessing that was for her! She loved the phone calls and visits! After she moved in with her daughter last year, her grandson, Daniel, would stop by most mornings and have coffee with her before he went to work. She would stand at the window watching for him to come. She loved being back in the country and loved admiring God’s creation watching the sunrises, sunsets, rainbows, ducks on the pond, hummingbirds, feeding the bluebirds and watching them bath every evening in the birdbath and anticipating when the babies would leave the nest. Norma spent 2-3 hours every morning after breakfast praying in her room for her family, naming each one by name, and she wouldn’t miss a day. This was extremely important to her and then she spent until lunch reading her Bible and talking to God. Many mornings she could be heard in her room praising her Saviour! The last 17 years, she was a dedicated member of Ash Street Baptist Church, and when her health was good, she was head over the kitchen committee. She missed being able to do that so badly when her health got worse. She did not like missing church even when she did not feel good. She loved everybody there, but she loved and appreciated her Bro. David and Ms. Gayle, and she wanted them to know that. Norma will be remembered for her warm spirit, her deep faith, and the love she shared so freely with everyone around her. She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, husband, Roy Calavan; and son, Arlin Spencer Calavan. Norma is survived by her children, Steven Calavan and wife Cindy of Gilmer, Texas, L. D. Calavan and wife Pam of Anson, Texas, DeAnn Moore and husband Bob of Muskogee, Oklahoma, and Dennis Calavan of Warner, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Spencer (Jennifer) Calavan, Amanda Calavan, David (Anna) Calavan, Daniel (Sally) Moore, Scott (Jamie) Moore, Colton Calavan, Cassie Calavan and fiancé, Jake Baca; great-grandchildren, Emily (Riley) Stapleton, Erin Calavan, McKenna Moore, Slade Moore, Sawyer Moore, Lane Moore, Elam Moore, Rosie Calavan and Sylis Calavan; along with many other family members, special nieces and nephews and friends. Norma’s life will be celebrated at 1PM, Saturday, March 21, 2026 at Ash Street Baptist Church with Pastor David Yarbrough officiating. After the service will be a Celebration of Life visitation at the church with cake and ice cream for all to attend. In lieu of flowers, mom’s request was for donations to be made to her loving church, Ash Street Baptist Church, 1521 Ash Street, Muskogee, OK, in honor of her lifelong faith and devotion to the Lord’s work.

Norma Ruth Calavan

August 5, 1935 - March 15, 2026