Louis Elvin Norton was born in his home at Caldwell, Arkansas, (St. Francis County) on September 16, 1932, to his parents Ollie Franklin and Dorothy Louise (Watlington) Norton, and entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior February 4, 2023, at the age of 90 years. As a youngster, Louis chose helping on the family farm over schooling, but was well-schooled in farming and gardening. He became a self-taught mechanic. He met and married Geneva Barksdale and in the 1960’s, he left the family farm in Arkansas and they moved to Oklahoma where they made their home in the Lindsay-Maysville area until the time of her death in January of 1993 after an extended illness. Louis sought employment in oilfield construction, where he became very efficient in mechanics and the operation of heavy equipment including the dozer, track hoe, backhoe, and road grader. Louis was wellliked and well-known for his expertise, working for several companies, the last of which was Rinehart Construction where he finally retired at the age of 82.
He ran into an old acquaintance in Walmart that he had known from church years earlier, Bobbie Hensley-Slater. A romance soon blossomed and they were married in September of 1993, enjoying twenty-nine years together. They made their home in Lindsay, but soon moved to Maysville. This union brought Louis an extended family of children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Louis and Bobbie enjoyed traveling and going to music shows in Branson. After retirement, he prided himself in cooking and especially enjoyed making (and eating) pies. Louis excelled in wood-working and loved making furniture, Christmas decorations, birdhouses, and many other things for his family. He took great joy in making toys for the little ones. The couple were faithful members of Unity Missionary Baptist Church. When health restricted their attendance, you could find them listening to their favorite television preachers. Louis also enjoyed watching westerns and “Walker, Texas Ranger.” Louis was an avid gardener and could produce amazing-sized tomatoes using some tricks he said his momma taught him. Neighbors, family and co-workers were always happy when he brought them some of the bounty from his garden.
Louis was preceded in death by his parents, Ollie and Louise Norton; his first wife, Geneva; brothers, Ollie Ray Norton, Robert Norton, and Garnet Norton; sister, Daisy Watson; stepson, Dale Hensley; and stepdaughter, Sylvia Hansen. Survivors include his wife, Bobbie; sister, Ann (Annie Jean) and husband, Walter (Wally) Meals, of Colt, Arkansas; sister, Patricia (Patty) and husband, Mike, Gulley of Sheridan, Arkansas; stepdaughter, Becky and husband, Woodie, Hill of Maysville; stepsons, Don and wife, Patty, Hensley of Elmore City, Oklahoma, and Roger and wife, Delories, Hensley of Edmond, Oklahoma; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. Memorial services were held February 9, 2023, at Winans Funeral Home Chapel, Maysville, with Bro. Danny Gamble, Bro. Walter (Wally) Meals, and Bro. Woodie Hill officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of John W. Williams of Winans Funeral Home, Maysville, Oklahoma. Words of comfort may be sent to www.winansfuneralhome.com.
