Norman Frances Davidson

Norma Frances (Davidson) Johnson

September 21, 1930 - August 23, 2021

Norma Frances (Davidson) Johnson, 90 years young, passed away peacefully in her sleep August 23, 2021, in Edmond, Oklahoma. Norma was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas to Emmett S. Davidson and Minnie Magdalene (Thomas) Davidson. After Minnie’s untimely death, Emmett remarried Eugenia, and they raised Norma, her sister Carolyn, and brother Donald. She lived in numerous states in the Midwest, settling in Duluth, Minnesota where her father taught Political Science and Economics at the University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD). Norma graduated from Duluth Central High School and enrolled at UMD where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics. She met her husband Ray as a freshman and though he transferred to Michigan Tech, they continued to date throughout their college years.

Norma taught school for a year after she graduated. Ray, by this time a Naval officer, asked her to marry him, and a week after they married, he was sent to the Philippine Islands. Norma soon followed him by train and ship. Their firstborn daughter, Deborah, was born while they were stationed in the Philippines. Norma and Ray moved to Yorktown, Virginia, where Mark was born, followed by Dana and Matthew in Virginia, Minnesota, and Duluth, Minnesota, respectively. Norma loved her family and was a wonderful housewife and fabulous cook! She was an avid reader and continued a love of learning throughout her life, attending classes at local universities wherever they lived. Norma owned a needlepoint shop in Aptos, California, where she taught basic to advanced pulled-thread needlepoint. She moved with Ray from Minnesota to Illinois, Indiana, and California as Ray moved up the corporate ladder. Following Ray’s retirement, they settled in Blaine Washington. Norma loved living there, but it was too cold for Ray, so they headed to Tucson, Arizona. A few years later, they moved to Dadeville Alabama and then Auburn, living in Alabama for a total of 21 years. Norma and Ray were members of the First Baptist Church of Opelika. Finally, Norma and Ray relocated to Edmond, Oklahoma in August 2020 to be closer to family in their final year.

Norma left a legacy of perseverance with her children and grandchildren. She was a three-time breast cancer survivor and her family considered her a “health food nut” as she advocated a diet rich in organic foods and supplements; a diet that worked so well one of her doctors told her t their long lives and good health were a direct result of her focus!

Norma was predeceased in 2020 by her husband of 67 years, Ray Johnson; her father, Doctor Emmett Davidson, PhD; her mother, Minnie (Thomas) Davidson; her step-mother, Eugenia (Dorman) Davidson; and her step-brother, Doctor Donald Davidson, PhD. She is survived by their four children: Deborah Baker (Ron), Mark Johnson (Cindy), Dana Johnson (Terrie) and Matt Johnson (Lisa Sensmeier) along with nine grandchildren: Alex and Courtney Baker, Megan and Ben Johnson, Chris, Cait and Ryan Johnson, Alexandria Larsen-Hallock and Kelsey Johnson; and her sister, Carolyn Wright.

A graveside celebration will be held at the Farmington Cemetery, Farmington, Arkansas at 10:00 AM on September 1, 2021.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be given to:

V Foundation for Cancer Research,14600 Weston Parkway, Cary, NC 27513

Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, 620 Sea Island Road, Suite 288, St Simons Island, GA 31522

Online guest book, www.luginbuel.com.