Andrea Fern Norvell

Andrea Fern (Beal) Norvell was born on November 24, 1948 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was the youngest of three, her siblings being John and Paul. During her youth, the Beal family moved to Sacramento, California. It was there that she gave her heart to Jesus at 15 years old, and she remained an active member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Shortly afterwards, her family returned to Oklahoma. Andrea also became a big sister to Lora Anne, and the two were almost inseparable.

She met her future husband, Joe Norvell, at Carl Albert High School in Midwest City, Oklahoma. Andrea went on to complete education courses at Southwestern Adventist Junior College, now Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, Texas. She often wrote for the school paper under a pseudonym, as she was sometimes shy. She married Joe on December 28th 1968.

International events impacted the newlyweds. Joe was sent to Germany to serve as a medic during the Vietnam War. Andrea served as a secretary for the Oklahoma Board of Education. In 1969, she gave birth to their daughter Susan, and in 1971 she gave birth to Sharon. She was very involved in her daughters’ lives, even leading a Brownies Troop.

Andrea’s connection to God was strong and beautiful, and God gave her a dream to leave their home while Joe was serving at Kiesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. Before she could follow the direction, Andrea was served an eviction notice from the landlord. The house was being given to his daughter as a wedding present. The next few years were tough ones for the family.

Due to local shifts in economy and an oil crisis, housing prices and daily costs increased significantly. The family moved into a travel trailer in Noble, Oklahoma, and knew they had to make the best with what they had. Andrea made the tiny house a home. She started work in the data processing center of the Oklahoma Military Department, where she managed computers with a competence that made her nearly irreplaceable.

She was a beloved employee and received her 15-year pin. Eventually, the family was advised to leave the troubles of Noble behind. In 1983 Joe borrowed money from his brother and bought 5 acres of land on Royal Drive in Oklahoma City. Susan and Sharon, now old enough to attend high school, would find themselves attending the same one as their parents. Joe began working at Tinker Air Force Base. The family was happier as the school was closer, as were Joe and Andrea’s jobs.

Andrea’s big heart led her to volunteer in her church’s community services, food pantries, free clothing, and thrift stores. Andrea loved nature and road trips. She often took her daughters to Martin Nature Center on Sabbath afternoons. They would also regularly visit the Oklahoma City Zoo. Andrea would occasionally be sent to other states by the Oklahoma Military Department, participating in summer training programs and enjoying seeing more of the country.

When her daughter, Sharon introduced her future husband, Karl Leukert, to the family, Andrea immediately opened her arms and said she was mom, and that she gave hugs.

Andrea was a devoted mother, and an even more devoted grandmother. Susan’s daughter Cherokee was the firstborn and struggled with medical issues. Andrea learned new recipes and created a dish called “Grammie Gruel”, safe for her to eat. Sharon’s first son, Michael, came after, and Andrea drove 8 hours to be present for the birth. She never hesitated to jump on a plane or on the road when there were any problems. Sharon’s second son, Matthew, came several years later. Andrea insisted on helping, once again.

Later on, her husband Joe became sick. Andrea’s love fueled a burning advocacy. She convinced doctors to run tests, revealing that Joe had brain cancer. Andrea never wavered, caring for her husband while he was in hospice. She was there to support his decision for radiation treatments, in order to stay alive long enough to see Sharon’s final child, a daughter named Greta. He held Greta at one week old, and then passed away on April 19th, 2003. Andrea never remarried, devoting more of her time to serving her community and doting on her grandchildren.

When Andrea’s daughter, Susan, experienced a health crisis, Andrea did not hesitate opening up her house to her and Cherokee. Sharon and her family relocated to Texas, and Andrea followed soon after, wanting to be close to her family. Andrea served as a janitor for the Christian school where her grandchildren learned, helping to pay for their tuition. After they graduated 8th grade, she continued to serve on the school board, and even helped as a substitute teacher.

In April 2018, she moved in with her granddaughter Cherokee, and her then boyfriend Ramon. Cherokee insisted it was time for her grandmother, who cared for everyone else, to allow herself to be cared for. Andrea welcomed Ramon Gutierrez into the family as Cherokee’s husband, and loved the fact she was once again a grandma – to two lovely cats.

In October of 2020, a home accident occurred where Andrea broke her leg. Unfortunately, her health issues became more prevalent after. Road trips to visit zoos and grandchildren were replaced with trips to the emergency room. Her faithful advocates, Cherokee and Sharon, served as medical powers of attorney and fierce fighters for her health. Eventually, she moved to Whispering Pines Lodge, a skilled nursing facility, where she lived out her final days. She passed away on August 11th, 2026, at Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview, Texas.

Andrea was preceded in death by her husband Joe Norvell; her parents Paul and Annabelle Beal; her brothers John and Paul Beal; and her nephew Paul Connor Beal.

She is survived by her daughters Susan Norvell of Big Sandy, TX; Sharon and husband Karl Leukert of Staunton, VA; and grandchildren Cherokee and husband Ramon Gutierrez of Marshall, TX; Michael Leukert of Quincy, CA; Matthew Leukert and Greta Leukert of Staunton, VA.

In lieu of flowers at the funeral, the family asks for people to donate to ADRA.org in Andrea's memory.