Nora Ellen Eberle

Nora Ellen Eberle was called to heaven on Thursday, January 2, 2025.

Nora Ellen was born in Konawa, OK on Christmas Eve 1939, at the home of her parents O.C. and Captola Winton. She lived a life devoted to following Jesus from childhood. She dedicated herself to introducing her children to Jesus and teaching them to love him, which she successfully accomplished. She was disciplined in her prayer life and study of Holy Scripture, as she sought daily to know, imitate, and become more like Jesus; and to encourage others to do the same. She was a member of Octavia Baptist Church for more than 50 years, actively participating and serving in the church for as long as her health allowed; then continuing to support the church community through prayer.

Nora Ellen graduated from Vamoosa High School in 1957. She attended and earned academic credits at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK, the University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS, Southeastern State University in Durant, OK, and East Central State University in Ada, OK, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1977. She continued her education, earning graduate credits at East Texas State University in Commerce, TX, and Central State University (now the University of Central Oklahoma) in Edmond, OK, where she was awarded certifications in Library Science and Media Center Management.

Nora Ellen was a pioneer in early childhood education, starting Oklahoma’s first and only Head-Start unit in 1966 in Battiest, OK. Two years later she started a HeadStart unit in Smithville, OK, the first of its kind to educate children in LeFlore County. She taught Oklahoma’s children for 26 years; three years in Battiest, three years in Sasakwa, and twenty years in Smithville. Exceptionally versatile, she taught a broad range of ages and subjects including HeadStart, kindergarten, 4th grade, and 7th-8th grade math and social studies, finishing her career as Head Librarian and Media Center Director for the Smithville school system.

Nora Ellen prioritized lifelong education and learning for her family, friends, and students. She worked as a bank teller to help finance her husband’s university education, finishing her own while working and raising her children. She willingly and gladly made financial sacrifices so that her children could attend universities and graduate debt free. She also helped to financially assist other family members and students to aid their dreams of furthering their education, including several of her Choctaw Nation students’ first year of post-secondary education before Choctaw Nation began providing educational financial assistance.

During her life, Nora Ellen resided in the states of Oklahoma, Nebraska, Mississippi, and Tennessee. She enjoyed traveling extensively throughout the U.S, often visiting family and friends on her trips. She cherished her extended family and many deep friendships, maintaining contact with them with many visits, phone calls, letters and a most impressive (a daunting task according to her husband and children) Christmas card list.

Nora Ellen was preceded in death by her parents O.C. and Captola Winton, younger sister Kathryn Clark, and several cherished, extended family members and friends.

She is survived by her loving husband, Claude Eberle, age 87; son Cliff Eberle and his wife Linda; daughter Larae Nevills and her husband Larry; granddaughters Hannah Eberle (Bradley) Young, Marissa Nevills (Kyle) Donovan, and Catherine Nevills; great-grandchildren Arden Donovan (age 5), Ford Young (age 1), and Sutton Young (expected in April); and special caretaker, now “adopted granddaughter”, Mindi Cox, her husband Randy, and sons Justin and Tristan. She is also survived by extended family members including brothers- in-law, Ronnie Clark and Teddy Eberle and his wife Carolyn; sisters-inlaw, Betty Parrett, Ramona Scott, and Laveda Head; nephews Lenny Clark, Lee Clark, Bryan Eberle; and numerous other nephews, nieces, cousins, and dear friends.

A memorial service will occur in the spring or summer at Octavia Baptist Church in Smithville, with Reverend Ed Rogers officiating. Nora Ellen’s ashes will be buried in the Eberle Family Cemetery in Sasakwa, OK. Donations in Nora Ellen’s memory may be directed to Octavia Baptist Church, P.O. Box 49, Smithville, Oklahoma 74957.

Arrangements are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. An online Guestbook can be found at www.bowserffh. com.