Nora Ellen Eberle Obituary (1939 - 2025)

Nora Ellen Eberle was called to heaven on Thursday, January 2, 2025. She was born at her parents’ home in Konawa, OK, on Christmas Eve 1939 to O.C. and Captola Winton. Nora Ellen 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 as long as her health allowed, then continuing to support the church community through prayer. Nora Ellen married the love of her life, Claude Eberle, on June 1, 1957, and they lived as faithful husband and wife until her death – an astounding 67-year marriage that weathered every storm life brought at them. Nora Ellen graduated from Vamoosa High School in 1957. She attended and earned academic credits at Oklahoma State University (Stillwater, OK), the University of Mississippi (Oxford, MS), Southeastern State University (Durant, OK), and East Central State University (Ada, OK) where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1977. She continued her education earning graduate credits at East Texas State University (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. She started Oklahoma’s first and then only Headstart unit in Battiest, OK in 1966. Two years later she started the Headstart unit at Smithville, OK – the first Headstart unit to educate children in LeFlore County. Nora Ellen taught Oklahoma’s children for 26 years; three years at Battiest, three years at Sasakwa, and twenty years at Smithville. She was exceptionally versatile, teaching a broad range of ages and subjects including Headstart-kindergarten, 4th grade, and 7th - 8th grade math and social studies then 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. She finished her university education while raising her children and working. She willingly and gladly made financial sacrifices so that her children could attend university and graduate debt-free. She financially assisted many of her family members and students to help them realize post-secondary education, including financing several of her Choctaw Nation students’ first year of post-secondary education before the Choctaw Nation started providing educational assistance. During her life, Nora Ellen resided in the states of Oklahoma, Nebraska, Mississippi, and Tennessee. She enjoyed extensive travels throughout the U.S., often visiting family and friends during her travels. She cherished her extended family and many deep friendships, maintaining contact with them by many visits, phone calls, letters, and a most impressive (daunting according to her husband and children) Christmas card mailing 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 (Linda) Eberle: daughter Larae (Larry) Nevills; 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 become “adopted granddaughter” Mindi Cox with her husband Randy and sons Justin and Tristan. Surviving extended family members include brothers-in-law Ronnie Clark and Teddy (Carolyn) Eberle; sisters-in-law 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 with Reverend Ed Rogers officiating. Nora Ellen’s ashes will be buried in the Eberle Family Cemetery at 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. Online Guestbook: www.bowserffh.com