Rita Ann (Porpotage) Norbury

Rita Ann Porpotage Norbury, 74, of Barling, AR, and formerly of Lewistown, PA, passed to eternal life on Tuesday, March 9, at 10:23 pm CT. Having lived with courage, grace, and patience throughout her life, her approach to cancer embodied the same qualities during her final year on earth. Always wanting to allay others’ fears, Rita’s reply to “How are you doing today?” was more often than not, “Pretty fair.”

Rita was born in Lewistown, PA, on February 3, 1947, and was preceded in death by her parents, Michael J. and Kathryn Z. Porpotage, in 1992 and 2013, respectively; dear “Grammy,” who was a second mother; her sister-in-law Christa Porpotage; and brother-in-law David Sigler. Rita is survived by her son John Norbury, of Barling, AR; daughter, Jennifer Norbury and Roy Culley of Heavener, OK; and son James (Jake) Norbury, and his wife, Alisa, of Guam; her grandchildren: Rhett Norbury, of Talihina, OK ; Tyler Blagg, of Durant, OK; Jorie Bandy, of Heavener, OK; and Michael J. Norbury, of Guam; her great-grandsons: Carter and Casen, of Heavener; her siblings: Mike Porpotage and his wife, Dorothy, of Lewistown, PA; Mary Lou Sigler and close friend Frank Hoover, of Reedsville, PA; and Joe Porpotage of Lewistown, PA; and two nephews: Robert Porpotage and wife, Linda, of Burnham, PA; and Zac Sigler of Reedsville, PA. Also surviving is a special cousin, Joan Fiorentino, of Delmont, PA, with whom Rita had shared various escapades at Rockaway Beach, NY, as a teenager; many other cousins whom she loved dearly; her former husband, DeeWayne Norbury and his wife, Marilyn, with whom Rita became friends; and her dear friend, Aynn Walker, all of Barling, AR.

Rita was a graduate of Chief Logan High School, class of 1965. Immediately upon graduation, she enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps and served honorably from 1965-1968, reaching the rank of Spec5/E-5. After basic training at Fort McClellan in Anniston, AL, Rita trained as a dental assistant and was first stationed at Ft. Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX, and later at Ft. Sill, OK, for the remainder of her enlistment. As a teenager, Rita enjoyed serving the clientele of the former Stewart’s Restaurant in Burnham, PA, and always remembered the kindness and generosity of her boss, the late John Stewart. In her adult life, Rita was employed as a secretary for Horizon Land Development and Coca Cola Bottling Company in Lawton, OK. Returning to PA in 1972, Rita worked as a bank teller at the Russell National Bank in Lewistown. Some years later, she and her family moved to Talihina, OK, where, from 1980-1995, Rita owned and operated, along with DeeWayne, three establishments, including a supermarket, a convenience store, and a motel, in Talihina. From 1995-2003, Rita was self-employed as a real estate agent and broker in Poteau, OK. When she moved to Ft. Smith, AR, she worked in retail as a certified bra-fitter at Dillard’s Department Store from 2003-2016. Finally, from 2016 until her cancer diagnosis in 2020, Rita enjoyed her work as a sales associate at J’s Hallmark and Gift Shop, Ft. Smith, AR.

Although Rita loved working with the public throughout her life, her great love, only second to her love of God, was her family. Cooking meals and having the entire family for holidays, birthday celebrations, and Sunday dinners brought her great happiness. With her children and grandchildren, and now her great-grandchildren, being the center of her life, Rita’s most joyful moments in recent years occurred at Christmastime in 2019, when her entire family could gather at her home for the holiday season. She was overjoyed because it was the first time in many years that all of her children could be together with her for Christmas.

Rita’s courage throughout her life allowed her to make many trips back to PA, alone with her three children in tow, to visit her late parents and Grammy, her siblings, and other relatives and friends, including her very close friend, the late Rita Geibel and her family. Her courage never waned as she boarded Amtrak alone, at the age of 65, in Little Rock, AR, traveling to Lewistown, PA, in December of 2012, to help her sister with their mother, who at that time was in the last month of her life.

Throughout her life, Rita enjoyed various cruises, but her paramount travel experience occurred in 2014 when she traveled to Guam to enjoy several weeks with her son Jake and his family. Spending time with Jake, Alisa, and Michael, along the pristine beaches of Guam, surpassed all other journeys.

Rita had been baptized at Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church in Lewistown, PA, as an infant and never doubted her faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She trusted in God completely. She was non-judgmental and, when others may have gossiped or berated their fellowman for any reason, Rita’s constant belief, which she often expressed, was, “There, but for the Grace of God, go I.” Rita accepted and loved her neighbors as herself, and all of mankind—regardless of religion, race, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity—were her neighbors, because she tried to live a life as close to the teachings of Jesus as humanly possible. She was kind, compassionate, and forgiving. Rita was the consummate peacemaker, one of her favorite saints being St. Francis, her favorite Catholic hymn being the “Prayer of St. Francis,” whose words include, “Make me a channel of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me bring your love.” Rita was the remarkable embodiment of that prayer and will, “in dying” be “born to eternal life.”

Although no public viewing will be held, friends are welcome to pay their final respects and to sign the guest register between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday, March 15, at Edwards Funeral Home, Ft. Smith, AR, or to sign the register at www.edwardsfuneralhome.com. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Barling, AR, beginning at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, March 16, with Father Matt Garrison officiating. The Holy Rosary will be offered at 10:00 a.m. Interment, including full military rites, will follow the Mass with a 12:00 noon arrival at Fort Smith National Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers include Rita’s sons, John and Jake; her grandsons, Rhett, Tyler, and Michael; and Jonathan Blagg, Roy Culley, and DeeWayne Norbury.