Norma Lee Hudspith

She was born on March 17, 1930, in Friendswood, Texas, to Will and Lydia Yarcho. In 1939 the family moved to Shell Rock, Iowa, where her father farmed until his untimely passing in 1941. Norma Lee accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior during high school and later dedicated her life to missionary service at a missionary conference—a decision that shaped the course of her life.

Norma Lee graduated from Shell Rock Consolidated High School on May 17, 1950, and went on to study at Moody Bible Institute, graduating on June 12, 1953, with training for missionary work. She continued her preparation with Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF) and after further training in Singapore, was assigned to northern Thailand. There she married fellow missionary Ed Hudspith on May 4, 1957, in Chaing Mai, Thailand.

Together, Norma Lee and Ed served faithfully among the Pow Karen tribal people, focusing on pioneer evangelism for 15 years. In 1971, during furlough, they transitioned their sponsorship to International Ministries and returned to Thailand, continuing their ministry among the Karen people. Even after being treated for breast cancer in 1976, Norma Lee resumed the work she loved. The family returned to Thailand in 1978, later retiring in 1990 for Ed’s health reasons and settled in Texas. After Ed’s passing in 2012, Norma Lee continued to live in Flower Mound until 2020, later residing with family in Fort Worth and Granbury.

Norma Lee embodied the qualities of a devoted missionary, wife, and mother. Her upbringing on the farm gave her practical skills that served her well overseas, she preserved food, managed with frugality, and created a home where hospitality flourished. Whether serving guests at her table or raising her three sons, Norma Lee’s life reflected love, prayer, obedience, forgiveness, generosity and steadfast faith in Jesus Christ. She also shared her passion for health and nutrition, which she credited as a factor in her longevity.

Norma Lee is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Ed Hudspith, son David Hudspith and her father and mother Will and Lydia Yarcho. She is survived by her children Al and Kathy Hudspith, Bill and Peggi Hudspith, daughter in law, Cheri Hudspith, and grandchildren, Jordan Bedsworth, Shelby McAdams, Matthew Hudspith, Catherine Reynolds, and Keith Hudspith, great grandchildren, Carson Hudspith, Jenevieve Hudspith, Judah Hudspith, Samuel McAdams, and Brynn Bedsworth. Siblings preceded in death are, sisters, Ruth Goar, Louise Lalan and brothers, Paul, Emil, Floyd, Albert and Robert Yarcho.

A celebration of Norma Lee’s life will to be held on September 4, 2025, at 3 pm at the Crossroads Bible Church, 8101 Justin Rd, Double Oak, Texas 75077.