Bessie Earline Outman Norton (nee Hall) passed away surrounded by family on Sunday, October 9, 2022, at Advent Health Daytona Beach after a two-week battle with injuries sustained from an accidental fall in her home in Daytona Beach, Florida. She was a wonderful wife, dear mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother, cherished sister, aunt, cousin, and devoted friend to many.
Earline was a registered nurse for over 65 years and worked in various nursing jobs including family practice, surgical/hospital nursing, geriatric/elder care nursing, psychiatric care, school nursing, home health care, summer camp nursing, church nursing, prison health care and her current position as director of nursing at the Conklin Davis Center for the Visually Impaired in Daytona Beach. She was an alum from Landon High School, Jacksonville, FL; St. Luke's School of Nursing, St. Francis University, IL, and Washington University, St. Louis, MO.
Bessie was her professional name, but she liked to be called Earline. She was born during the depths of the depression on November 23, 1935, to Alton Freeman Hall and Nancy Irene (nee Harden) Hall in Jacksonville, Florida. Earline has two sisters, Aljean West, and Debbie (David) Ash, and one brother Ronald (Susan) Hall who all reside in Florida. She married William "Bill" Henry Outman, on June 9, 1956, in Clay County, Florida after which they moved to Marseilles, Illinois where they raised three children; Lora (David) Clark of Florissant, MO; William Outman of Daytona Beach, FL; and Wayne (Dawn) Outman of St Augustine, FL. Earline married Brian Edward Norton on November 22, 2020, in Daytona Beach, FL. and welcomed Brian's three sons, Michael, Matthew, and Ross into her heart. Earline is survived by her husband Brian, her children and two stepchildren, and ten grandchildren: Korie Clark, Kimberly (Ian) Reed, Kristopher (Lisa) Clark, Melanie (John) Heberton, Camille Norton, David Outman, Wade Outman, Wesley Outman, Callon Norton, and Caedon Norton. She is also survived by 18 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild, a sister-in-law: Virgene Outman Lockas, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Earline was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bill, her stepson Ross Norton, one great grandson Jacob Clark, one sister-in-law Henrietta "Sissy" Outman Barber, two brothers-in-law, George Barber and Billy West, and three nephews Bradley Ash, Dale West and Dean Lockas.
Earline began her nursing career during the 1955 polio epidemic, and her proudest moment in nursing was when she worked as a missionary in the jungles of Guatemala and delivered a baby unassisted. Earline assisted her husband Brian in Court with his substance abuse legal clients with the Regional Conflict Counsel. She was an active member and elder of her church, the First Christian Church of Daytona Beach, Disciples of Christ.
After the death of her husband, Bill, Earline moved to Florissant, MO to be near her daughter where she became an active participant in the St. Andrew United Methodist Church and the St Louis Concert Choir. Earline was proud to be an avid Elvis fan. She was a Mary Kay Consultant for many years, and loved helping women feel better about themselves. Earline was a welcomed regular (non-alcoholic) participant of the Almous Alcoholics Anonymous Club where she provided a unique perspective and occasional humorous remarks. She was an active member of the National Federation of the Blind supporting independence for the blind. Her blind husband and son are both officers of the NFB Daytona Beach Chapter. She was an active member of the Volusia Democratic Party. Earline was very active until her unfortunate fall. She always lit up a crowded room with her lively and energetic spirit.
She was cremated, and a service was held on Saturday, October 29, 2022, at the First Christian Church of Daytona Beach, Disciples of Christ. After this spiritual memorial service, friends and family gathered for a celebration of life to share memories of this amazing woman at the Conklin-Davis Center for the Visually Impaired.
A graveside service will be held on Sunday, April 30, 2023 at Riverview Cemetery in Marseilles, IL. (Top of cemetery hill on the right.) Also, late lunch for attendees will be held in Utica, at Skoogs for anyone who knew Earline. At her request, tenderloins will be provided. Memories will be shared at that time.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in her name to the Conklin-Davis Center for the Visually Impaired, 405 White Street, Daytona Beach, FL 32214.