Norma Jean Hunt 98, passed peacefully into the presence of Jesus on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Glendale Gardens where she had been residing.

Norma was born on December 31, 1927, to William Otto and Elodie Ellen (Brown) Hastings Sr. in Springfield, Missouri where she was a lifelong resident. She was the fourth child born into a loving family of eight children. Norma attended Bailey Elementary, Pipkin Jr. High, and graduated from Springfield Senior High School (Central High School). During high school she excelled in Art, participated in Choir, and was a member of the American Legion Drum Corps. After high school she received training at Burge Protestant Hospital (Cox Medical Center) and became a Nurse’s Aide/Assistant. After several years of working Norma met Ernest Lee Hunt and they married in 1950. Her career direction shifted after marriage and two children – John and Karla, when Norma devoted herself completely and unselfishly to her home and family. Ernest and Norma remained devoted to one another until Ernest’s death in 2003.

Norma was a gifted artist in painting and drawing, and she immensely enjoyed singing and music. She excelled at decorating, enjoyed collecting and refurbishing antiques, and all things domestic, bringing beauty to everything she touched.

Helping and volunteering became a focal point in her later years when Norma helped wherever needed - at PTA events for her grandchild, Oil Change Ministry, Ronald McDonald House, and most recently at Thrift Haven, which benefits Fair Haven Children’s Home in Strafford.

Most importantly, Norma gave her life to Christ at an early age and attended Central Assembly as a child and teenager. After marriage Ernest and Norma attended East Side Assembly of God in Springfield with their family. Later Norma came back to Central with her daughter Karla and son-in-law Craig McHaffie where she participated as she could. Her deepest desire was to see all her family and friends saved – and she let her light shine for Jesus Christ.

Norma is survived by daughter Karla McHaffie (Craig), daughter-in-law Vicki Hunt, granddaughter Angela Steele (Gary), and grandson Nathaniel McHaffie (Kassidy) along with great grandsons Henry Steele, Maxwell Steele, and George McHaffie. Norma was so proud of her family and loved them deeply. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son John, and seven siblings – Betty Jo (Hastings) Gray, William O. Hastings Jr., James Edwin Hastings, Jackie Lee Hastings, George David Hastings, Stanley LeRoy Hastings, and B. Jane (Hastings) Myers.

Visitation will be on Thursday, March 19, 12Noon followed by a Celebration of Life at 1:00PM at Central Assembly, 1301 N. Boonville, Springfield, MO.