of Conway, AR

October 28, 1929 - March 6, 2022

Norma Sue (Locke) Carter, peacefully passed from this earth on Sunday, March 6, 2022. She was born in Hardy, Arkansas, on October 28, 1929, to Walter David Locke and Esther Locke Morton, both of whom preceded her in death. She was an only child. Norma Sue was baptized at a young age and remained steadfast in her Christian beliefs throughout her life. She grew up in the Hardy, AR, Church of Christ, and was a faithful member of Robinson and Center Church of Christ here in Conway since 1967.

On November 24, 1948, she married Floyd Edward Carter, Sr., who also preceded her in death. She leaves to cherish her memory-three children, Floyd Edward (Eddie) Carter, Jr., Janice Thessing (Dan), and Rebecca Keith (Dean); five grandchildren, Jason Thessing (Marium), Jessica Rister (Christopher), David Plummer, Sarah Plummer, and Michael Plummer, and five great-grandchildren, Arielle Appleby, Hunter Thessing, David, Daniel, and Charlotte Rister.

Norma Sue Carter grew up in the rolling hills of Hardy, AR, surrounded by a multitude of loving aunts, uncles, and cousins. There she also had a host of life-long friends, the dearest of which shared her middle name. She was a part of a sisterhood of Hardy's Sues (Evelyn Sue Vandergriff, Betty Sue Cate-Hall, Catherine Sue Henning Sullivan, and Sue-Sue Jackson-Norman). In high school, she was an outstanding basketball player on the Hardy State championship team, coached by Brooklyn Dodgers' Preacher Roe. She also served as the secretary-treasurer and salutatorian of her senior class. She attended college at ASU in Jonesboro. After her children were in school, she spent the next 22 years working for McNutt Funeral Home. Norma Sue served in a myriad of roles there, but she was most remembered for being the kind voice of encouragement and comfort to countless families in one of their greatest times of need. She was an avid reader, a whiz at Sudoku, and a talented piano player. She loved to take photos of friends and family, and she spent hours revisiting those photographs and discussing the memories they stirred. She was a selfless soul who spent her early retirement years taking care of her grandchildren, caring for her mother and aunt, and also spent some time working for her daughter, Janice, in her boutique. Norma Sue loved her sweet neighborhood and church friends here in Conway. She shared an extra special bond with Elaine Howerton, Mary Langston, and Pat Mills as they fell into both categories. She deeply treasured the times she was able to stay at her big rock Hardy House and visit with her cherished school and church friends from her youth. While in Hardy, she enjoyed attending school reunions, Saturday gatherings at McDonald's, church potlucks, and porch swing visits.

She deeply loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She led them by example and instilled in them the values of being kind, giving more than you receive, setting and reaching goals, being early, and remaining strong even in the face of huge obstacles. Norma Sue was a blessing to all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Pallbearers are Jason Thessing, David Plummer, Michael Plummer, Christopher Rister, Christopher Thessing, and Trey Thessing.

The family would like to thank Dr. Alex Freeman/staff, the 3rd Floor Conway Regional health workers, Homewell, and Melissa Hight for the love and exceptional care you gave. Also, thank you to the numerous church members, (especially Michelle and John Tooke), for their outpouring of love through numerous letters and cards of encouragement over the last year.

Funeral services will be at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home, 650 Central Landing Blvd., Conway, AR, on Thursday, March 10, 2022, at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery. Visitation will precede the service from 10:00am -11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hardy Church of Christ Building Fund, PO Box 185, Cherokee Village, AR 72525.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-McNutt Funeral Home
650 Central Landing Blvd.
Conway, AR  72032
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com