Michael Alan Norman

Services and visitation will be held on Thursday, November 7 at Smith Family Funeral Home in Arkadelphia, Arkansas for Michael “Mike” Alan Norman, age 60, who passed away on Monday, October 29 at UAMS in Little Rock, Arkansas. Visitation will be from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM and the funeral service will be at 2:00 PM. Immediately following, burial will be held at Neighbors Cemetery in Midway, Arkansas.

Brother Alan Cansler, of Saginaw Missionary Baptist Church, will officiate the services along with Brother Fred Ethridge, of Midway Missionary Baptist Church.

Survivors include his daughter Jodi Norman (Bobby Easley); his son Michael “Justin” Norman (Tara Norman); his grandsons Colbie Wise and Bentley Wise; his granddaughters Leila Norman, Noelle Norman and Josie Norman; his mother Lucille McGinness; his sisters Vickie Cooper (Bruce Cooper), Melissa McGinness-Jones (Tommy Jones) and Gina Parish (David Parish); his brothers Paul McGinness Jr (Jan McGinness), Greg McGinness (Brandy McGinness), Jimmy Norman Jr. (Amy Norman), Leslie Nelson (Candy Nelson) and William Nelson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jimmy Norman Sr. and by his mother’s beloved husband, Paul McGinness Sr.

Mike, or “Mookie” as he was called by many family and friends, was born on May 9, 1964 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He attended Ouachita High School in Friendship, Arkansas. He was working at Georgia Pacific Corporation at the time he passed. He was there a total of around 16 years. His employer and coworkers, who became close friends, were a huge support and motivation during his battle with Stage 4 Lymphoma. He also worked at H and T Truss Mill for about 20 years with family and many dear friends.

Mike was a beloved father, grandfather, son, brother and friend to many. He would do anything to help and support his kids and grandkids. He did not meet a stranger and connected with many people throughout his life. His favorite place to be was on his boat on the lake with the people he loved. Through his dad, he developed a love of vehicles and working on them. He passed on this same love to his son and grandchildren. Mike also loved music and was known as the biggest fan of his brother and close friend’s band, Subdue. He enjoyed cooking, grilling, good food and cold beer. The simple things with those he loved and cared about mattered the most to him.

He was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoma about 2 years prior to his passing. He will be remembered for fighting this disease harder than what seemed humanly possible. He learned he was cancer free towards the end of his journey, but all the different treatments he went through took too much of a toll. His faith and relationship with God grew throughout his battle. He showed us all that he is truly one of the strongest, bravest and most resilient people. We are all grateful for his fight and all the memories we were able to make with him over the past 2 years.

A special thank you to his daughter, Jodi, his son, Justin, and the mother of his children Leanne Parish, who sacrificed so much to help him and be there for him during his fight. There were countless other family, friends, doctors and nurses who were also a huge support.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Mike Norman to the Lymphoma Research Foundation.

Arrangements by Smith Family Funeral Home-Ruggles Wilcox Chapel, 517 Clay Street, Arkadelphia, Arkansas 71923.  www.smithfamilycares.com