OWENSBORO – Norma Jean Laster, 93, of Owensboro, died Saturday, July 8, 2023, at 11:06 a.m. at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. Born November 6, 1929, in Browder, she was a school teacher in Chicago, Ill. She was preceded in death by her husband, Willard Laster; daughter, Mary (Edward) Westen; parents, Anna Arnold & Clifford Baggett of Muhlenberg County; sister, Joan Baggett, and brothers-in-law, Paul Humphreys and Paul Arnold.
Shortly after their marriage, Jean and Steve moved to Chicago, Ill., where they called home for 39 years. During that time, Norma Jean graduated from Chicago Teacher’s College in 1965, as well as raising their five children. In 1991, Jean and Steve returned home to Muhlenberg County where they had 22 years of retired bliss. They loved traveling with their siblings and having the kids come to visit. In 2014, after Steve’s death, she went back to Chicago and began her independent senior living phase of her life. She found a love of singing and painting, and shared her gifts with her family and friends. Her children and grandchildren were able to hear her solos and many have her paintings hanging in their homes.
Survivors include her children, Willard (Lois) Laster, Jr., Joanne Hardt, Clifford (Kathy) Laster, and Becky (John) Miller; grandchildren, Willard (Jenna), Sarah, Eva (Noel, Edward (Jill), James (Steve), Jennifer (Alan), Christine, Timothy, Greggory, Katie (Dylan), and Jackie (Jon Ander); great-grandchildren, Kendal, Vanessa, EJ, Desi, Violet, Sullivan, and Bennett; and siblings, James (Lillian) Baggett of Arizona, Linda Humphreys of Tennessee, Darrel (Wanda) Baggett of Muhlenberg County, Sue Ellen Arnold of Muhlenberg County, and Jerry Durall of Muhlenberg County.
Funeral services will be Friday, July 14, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Tucker Funeral Home in Central City, with Rev. Tom Stovall officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday after 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to your favorite charity in memory of Norma. Online condolences may be made at www.tuckerfuneralhomes.com.
