Norma Lou

Spurlock

Norma Lou (Nettles) Spurlock, 85, passed away peacefully on November 8, 2026 at Lakeside Nursing Center in Lake City, Arkansas. Norma was born on December 1, 1940, to the late Ira and Mildred (Metcalf) Nettles of Monette, Arkansas. One of eight children, Norma grew up in a close-knit family where traditions and time spent together were always at the heart of life.

Before her father's passing, Sunday afternoons were reserved for gatherings at the family home, where her siblings and their children came together to visit and enjoy one another's company. Another favorite tradition was attending the Craighead County Fair with her sisters each fall. The local radio announcer, who regularly broadcast from the fairgrounds, would spot them and announce, 'The sisters are here!’. Holidays were also a special time for the family, with the large, annual Fourth of July gatherings being a favorite tradition enjoyed by generations over the years. Norma was a lifelong resident of Buffalo Island in northeast Arkansas.

She graduated from Monette High School in 1958 and later made her home in Lake City, where she raised her family, formed lifelong friendships, and became an active part of the community. Her faith was an important part of her life, and she found church homes at Prairie Baptist Church, Bowman Baptist Church (where she served as church secretary), and most recently, Lake City United Methodist Church, where she enjoyed worshiping alongside friends and family. Norma began her working years at Frolic Footwear in Jonesboro. Later, she especially enjoyed her time working at the Arkansas State University Convocation Center, where she often had the opportunity to interact with the many performers who took the stage there. She also devoted many years to serving as a poll worker, faithfully spending long hours keeping the voting polls open and transporting ballots to be counted at the end of each election day.

Norma is survived by her daughter, Tracy Rhodes (David) of Little Rock, Arkansas; stepson, William Greg Spurlock (Courtney) of Apopka, Florida; three beloved grandchildren, Elizabeth Spurlock, Zoe Rhodes and Mattie Rhodes; and several nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly. In addition to her parents,

Norma was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Norval Spurlock; her son, Ira 'Gino' Spurlock; her stepson, Gary Spurlock; five sisters, Joyce Mize, Delores Bowman, Mary Sue Moore, Betty Lou Nettles, and Sharon Lock; and two brothers, Wendell Nettles Sr. and Ewell Clayton Nettles.

Graveside services will be held 1pm, Saturday November 14 at Monette Cemetery with Reverend Jerry Reed officiating. Friends and family will be received at Norma’s home immediately following. The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the staff of Lakeside Nursing Center and Dierkson Hospice for the loving care, kindness, and compassion they provided Norma over the past year.

Norma will be remembered for her love of family, her devotion to her community, and the many special memories she created with those fortunate enough to know her.