Norma Lee McCullough, age 85, was the first-born child of William and Dorothy (Tennison) Brashears. She was born at home in the tiny community of Jenny Waller, located in rural Stone County, Missouri, on March 18, 1936. She passed away at Rock Point Nursing Center in Birch Tree, Missouri, with her daughter at her bedside on February 26, 2022, after a short illness.

On April 9, 1955, she married the love of her life, J.D. McCullough, in Stone County, Missouri. They shared a birthdate with J.D. being born three hours earlier than her. A fact she used to tease him about, saying he was just barely the boss based on his three-hour window of time. They were blessed with a daughter, Karen Jean, and a son, Nathan Douglas. Tragically, J.D. was killed in a motorcycle accident on October 7, 1963, at the age of 27. Norma never remarried and raised her children as a single parent in an era when single parenthood was not the norm.

She supported her young family working as a seamstress in various factories, making everything from clothing, military fatigues, and airline luggage during the school year, taking summers off to spend with her children. She instilled a strong work ethic in her children, as well as the lesson to never give up regardless of what life handed them. She also shared her love of reading with them, introducing them to the public library at an early age. Family excursions were centered around nature or historical sites.

Norma's hobbies included growing flowers, drawing, and painting, in which she won several ribbons at the county fair, reading multiple books a week, collecting pig-themed piggy banks, and attending Gospel concerts. She was saved and baptized at an early age and was a devoted attendee of her church, Faith Tabernacle at Galena, Missouri.

Norma never met a stranger and was known to strike up lengthy conversations with people from all walks of life. She opened her home and wallet to many, regardless of what others thought or said about the appropriateness or perceived need of those who were the recipients of her generosity. She volunteered countless hours sharing her love of gospel music with the residents of the local nursing home in Crane, Missouri.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, J.D.; her parents, William and Dorothy Brashears; her in-laws, John and Bertha McCullough; her sister, Nola McCullough; her brothers-in-law, Garold, Denzil, and Hubert McCullough; and great-nephew, Samuel McCullough.

She is survived by her daughter, Karen Gaddy of Mountain View; her son, Nathan (Joan) McCullough, Sr. of Galena, MO; brother, Jack (Sue) Brashears; grandchildren, Susan (Chad) Conner, Joel (Lisa Noble) Evans, Nathan Jr. (Summer) McCullough, Caleb A. McCullough, Jennifer (Richard) Dickerson, Lesley McCullough, Naomi McCullough, and Justin McCullough; great-grandchildren, Jacob (Kymberlin) Conner, Grace Conner, Caleb (Nila), Joe, Arin, Harley, Hannah McCullough, Clarence, Jenalee, Patricia Dickerson, and Maddie Noble; first great-great-grandchild, Waylon and a lovingly anticipated great-great-grandchild in July 2022; nephews and nieces, Bill, Larry, Michael, Jonathan, Jason, Gary, David, and Brian McCullough, Kathy Berube, Lisa Harris, Theresa Brashears, Cheri (Mike) White and a host of other relatives and friends.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 4, 2022, at Crane Masonic Cemetery in Crane, Missouri, with Bro. David McGeary officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 3, 2022, from 6-8:00 p.m. at Yarber Mortuary, Mountain View, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to Believers International or The Agape House. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.