Della LaVern Sellers Norman, 87, passed away on August 13, 2022, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, surrounded by family. LaVern was born on February 25, 1935, in Smallett, Missouri, to Raymond and Carrie (Osborn) Sellers. LaVern and James (Buddy) Norman were married on May 27, 1956, and to this union, four children were born.
LaVern grew up in a time when she had no electricity, indoor plumbing, or central heat, and she walked to school with cousins and friends. Her clothing was made from cotton chicken feed sacks on a foot-pump Singer sewing machine made by her wonderful mother. She enjoyed her high school years and participated in numerous activities.
She loved going to Branson to attend music shows and gospel singing and hosting her annual Labor Day picnic on the family farm in Smallett. She was a life-long member of Ava General Baptist Church.
She received a teaching certificate from Missouri State University. She taught in Silver Shade – a one-room schoolhouse in Douglas County. LaVern worked at Douglas County Family Services for 31 years and loved supporting her community as a former First Lady of Ava, supporting her husband Buddy as mayor for 19 years.
LaVern was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Carrie Sellers, her husband, James “Buddy” Norman, and her brother, Bill Sellers.
She is survived by her brother, Jerry (Karen) Sellers, sister-in-law Ruth Sellers, her children, Gayle (David) Wubbolding, Kris (LeeAnn) Norman, Philip (Linda) Norman, Kara Beth (Ron) Crowell, her grandchildren, Kelly, Jeff, and Klay Norman, Brett Ozment, Laura Whitney Taylor, Seth Norman, Aaron and Bryson Crowell, 10 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Visitation for LaVern will be held on Thursday, August 18, 2022, from 9 to 10 a.m. followed by a funeral service at Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava, Missouri, with burial following in the Ava Cemetery. Officiating will be Rev. Oren Alcorn.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to Heart of the Hills Food Pantry and Ava General Baptist Church.
