HOPE — Mrs. Norma Jean Hazzard Delaney

left this life on October 1, 2020, due to old age. She was born on July 17, 1929, to Lura and James Hazzard in Nevada County, Ark., although she resided in Hempstead County, Hope, Ark., for most of her life. Norma Jean was married to her love, Cecil Delaney, for 72 years until his death in 2019. Her only regret in dying was that she did not get to vote for Joe Biden.

She leaves behind two daughters, Cecilia Schellhase (Gary) and Carla Delaney; granddaughter Emily Fry; great-grandchildren Delaney Barber, Hayden Barber; great-great-grandson Wyatt Breazeale; and granddog, Coco.

She worked for over fifty years at the First National Bank in Hope. Her love of people led her to become President of the B & PW club, Sunday school teacher at the United Methodist Church and activist in her beloved AlAnon group. Her hobbies included travel, cooking, playing golf and doing impressions of Minnie Pearl. Most people would describe her as selfless, kind, honest, loving, smart, and a real character. To her daughters’ embarrassment, she once chased Arnold Palmer for his autograph as he played in a tournament in California. She got the autograph and a warm embrace.

She loved her family and friends, the Methodist Church, the Arkansas Razorbacks, pecan pie, Jordan Spieth, Bill Clinton and Michelle Obama.

Her life tragedies included her mom dying when she was nine years old, living with a blind and disabled father, and the death of her son at ten days of age. However, she never wavered in her love of God and trust in His care of her. A memorial will be planned when Biden is elected and the pandemic is under control. To honor her, memorials may be sent to the First United Methodist Church in Hope.