NORMA MAE BILLINGS,
age 93, of Little Rock, gained her angel wings after passing away peacefully on Sunday, May 7, 2023.
Nora was born on May 28, 1929, to Vernon and Earlene (Bedwell) Pruett of Worthington, Ind. Preceding her were her husband, David Billings, Sr., her beloved son Larry, and her sister, Imogene Pruett.
Nora grew up in Worthington, Ind. She was the first-born child and helped her mother raise her five younger sisters. More than anything, Nora loved being a mother, grandmother, and homemaker. Nora enjoyed a remarkable 73year marriage to her late husband, David. Their story began when they met in Indiana and married a month later. Together they had three children, David Jr., Regina, and Larry, and enjoyed many wonderful years of laughter, love, and travel with their family. Nora and David accompanied their adult children on many fun adventures during their lifetime. Some of the more memorable early experiences include a 1970s trip to visit David Jr. while he was stationed in Germany along with a family road trip across Europe; a fabulous trip to Hawaii in the 90s with Regina where they all enjoyed going home with matching sunburns; and Larry and Nora taking a road trip to NYC in the 1980s. In addition to travel, Nora most enjoyed the tranquility of sitting on her porch swing where she could enjoy a soft breeze while visiting with family surrounded by the lush greenery of the woodlands, the sweet sound of birdsong, and the fragrance of nature in bloom.
Her days were enjoyed cultivating and caring for plants and flowers, and she had a special fondness for animals. From her kitchen window she had the loveliest view of nature – hummingbirds at the feeder, doves in the bird bath, and a huge magnolia tree planted many years ago by her husband. She had many beloved pets over the years, including earlier favorites Sissy, Corky, and Buffy, and she never turned a stray dog away, leading her to have many other pets such as JJ and Brandy. Her home was proof of a life welllived, with cherished mementos from every corner of the Earth, either collected personally by her or gifted to her from friends and family over the years. She loved holidays and was a fabulous cook, so naturally her kitchen was everyone’s favorite room in the house. Those lucky to enjoy a fresh-from-the-oven peanut butter cookie knew a culinary delight that is truly hard to match. She loved to make strawberry shortcake, peach and blackberry cobblers in the summer, and fried chicken and chili in the winter. Her home was lovingly cared for and was handbuilt by the family in 1963.
Nora was creative, artistic, and her greatest love was her family and making a comfortable home for them. She was always there for her children, having served as cub scout and brownie leader, Bible school teacher, room mother, and all-around chauffeur throughout the kids’ school years. She was active in the Salvation Army Auxiliary, arts and crafts director at a local nursing home, enjoyed flower arranging, and especially loved gardening and the Razorbacks. Nora was a long-time member of Baseline Baptist Church. She was a hard worker her entire life who made many sacrifices to provide a better life for her family.
Surviving Nora are her sisters Mary Lou Schoolcraft, Berneice Teachmond, Betty Emery, and Rita Livingston. She also leaves behind her son David Jr., (Sonia) of Ft Myers, Fla., daughter Regina, (Edwin) of San Antonio, Tex., grandchildren Angela, Allen, Alicia, David III, James, Kristin, Matthew, Michael, Brett, Amanda, Tyler, and Taylor. Also 16 great-grandchildren Ashton, Stephanie, Christopher, Noah, Alexis, Hudson, Augustina, Apollonia, Abbie, Jordan, Kenley, Caleb, Kalonie, Margot, James, Kailer, and four great-great-grandchildren Jack, Evelyn, Calvin, and Miles.
Nora leaves a legacy of love and will be missed forever by her family.