Norma Ruth Center

Norma Ruth Drain Center was born in Haskell, OK on October 18, 1931. She was the daughter of Andrew Johnson “Johnse” and Ica Mae (Eubanks) Drain. She lived her whole life in Oklahoma. She grew up in Haskell and Council Hill, graduating from Haskell High School in 1949. After graduation, she moved to Muskogee, where she worked as a Telephone Operator for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. She later moved to Tulsa and attended Draughon School of Business, while working as a waitress at Borden’s Cafeteria during the booming years of downtown Tulsa. She returned to work as a Telephone Operator at Southwestern Bell in Tulsa, and retired from the company in 1979. In 1953, Norma was introduced to Leon Garner, by a mutual friend. They were married on January 28, 1954. They had three children: Beverly, Deborah, and Rickey. They lived in Muskogee until 1962, when they moved to Tulsa. Norma raised their children alone after 1965. Norma & Leon ended their twenty year marriage in 1974. Norma was later reintroduced to a family friend, Lee Center. They were married in 1978, until his death in 2009. During the majority of their marriage, they lived on their acreage in Tahlequah and at their house at the lake in Wagoner, at Taylor Ferry. They also lived in Muskogee and Proctor. After Lee’s death, Norma lived in Claremore until moving to Grove, OK, where she enjoyed the last decade of her life. Norma loved the Lord and her family. As a young child, continuing throughout her life, Norma was a member of the Church of Christ. Until her move to Claremore, she was a long time member of the South College Church of Christ in Tahlequah. From the time they were infants until they were no longer at home, Norma took her children to church as a family, every Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night, Vacation Bible School, and to many fun church activities. It was important to her for her children to be raised in church, and know about the Lord. Norma always looked forward to going to family reunions, so she could see all of the family. She loved to read. She enjoyed the Bible, church bulletins & newsletters, books (especially biographies & autobiographies), and magazines that kept her up to date on celebrity gossip. Until the last two weeks of her life, she stayed informed about current events, including politics, local/state/national/world news, and celebrities’ lives. She could tell you politician’s names (in all levels of government), the office they held, their family history, good and bad events in their lives, and just about anything you’d want to know. The same held true with Country music and other artists, movie and TV stars, and national journalists. Norma loved music, especially Country music, Bluegrass, and 1950’s Rock & Roll. She was an excellent cook, and made the best cornbread and pies, like her Mama. Her grandkids especially enjoyed eating what they called “Grandma’s Grease Burgers.” (hamburgers/cheeseburgers with the inside of the buns made crisp by heating them in the cooked burger grease). Norma took pride in her appearance, enjoying new clothes & shoes, wearing jewelry, and looked forward to her weekly manicures, pedicures, and hair appointments. She enjoyed watching TV, especially the news, shows involving music or comedies, and movies on PixL and Hallmark. She enjoyed socializing, meeting new people, had a beautiful smile and laugh, had a fun sense of humor, was witty, and had a caring heart for everyone. She handled the aging process with grace. She is preceded in death by her parents, A.J. and Ica Drain; two sisters, Zola Perryman and Bertha McLaughlin; brother, Lorin Drain; husband, Leon Garner; husband, Lee Center; nephew, Lorin D. Perryman; numerous aunts & uncles. She is survived by two daughters, Beverly Ann Ball, Miami, OK; Debi Gregory, Claremore; one son, Rick Garner & his wife Vickie, Grove; Six grandchildren, who she loved dearly, Brandy Wilson & husband Mike, Tulsa; Nicholas Gregory & wife Kelly, Dallas, TX; Cory Gregory & wife Lexi, Oklahoma City; Lyndsey Leatherman & husband Ronnie, Tulsa; Melanie Chambers & husband Jason, Webb City, MO; Keith Fields & wife Amy, Claremore. Always bringing a sparkle to her eyes were her 16 Great-grandchildren: Tyler, Alyssa, Eric, Bubba, Enzo, Luca, Noah, Alexie, Lilli, Jace, Ashton, Aiden, Andi, Karsyn, Rylee, and McKinley. And her 2 Great-great grandsons, Roland and Mason. She is also survived by her dear cousin, Laverne Knight, who she remained friends with her entire life, and close friends Gail Cox and Dixie and Gary Curlee. She also remained close to her 10 nieces and nephews, who she loved dearly. Norma will be deeply missed. Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at G.A.R. Cemetery in Miami, OK. Rev. Bob Hampton and Larry Bergner will officiate. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Paul Thomas Funeral Home Chapel in Miami, OK. Services have been placed in the care of the Paul Thomas Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Miami, OK. Online condolences may be made at www.paulthomasfuneralhomes.com