Obituary for Norma Hanson Roberts Norma Hanson Roberts, age 96, of Pine Bluff, died Tuesday, December 11, 2018. Born in Yankton, SD on March 28, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Norman Leroy Hanson and Ina Mabel Johnson Hanson. She was reared and educated in Worthington, MN and earned of Bachelor of Arts degree from Carleton College in Northfield, MN.
Mrs. Roberts also attended the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis and the Randolph Schaeffer School of Design in San Francisco, CA. For many years, she was the President and co-owner of her family’s business, the N. L. Hanson Furniture Company in Worthington, MN, working with her brother, Donald Hanson. After moving to Pine Bluff in 1947, Norma became very involved in civic activities.
She became the “fund-raising specialist” in many organizations, including the establishment of the Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas. Her activities were wide-ranged, including the Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Little League Baseball, the Salvation Army, Pine Bluff-Jefferson County Library, and the Community Concert Association. She was a member of the Pine Bluff Junior Auxiliary, which later became the Junior League of Pine Bluff, serving on its board of directors and as a sustaining member.
She was also a longtime member of the Junior Mathontes Club. Norma also helped start the Women’s Golf Association at the Pine Bluff Country Club and assisted with the junior golf program. Mrs. Roberts was a very active member of the First Presbyterian Church, serving in various capacities as a women’s circle leader, Sunday school teacher, hospitality chairman, and community action committee.
She was also the church’s representative for the Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Home and, true to form, served as a fund raiser. She married William “Bill” Roberts on October 19, 1947 in Worthington, MN, and he preceded her in death in 1994. Also predeceasing her are a son, Norman Bradford “Brad” Roberts; and her brother, Donald Hanson.
Survivors include her son, Bruce Hanson Roberts and wife Jana of Nashville, TN; her grandchildren, Ben Roberts and wife Emily, and Hayley Roberts; and two great-grandchildren, Wilder Roberts and Lily Roberts. Funeral services will be Friday, December 14, 2018, 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son with the Rev. Jeff Price officiating.
Private burial will be in Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, beginning at 1:00 p.m. until service time. Memorials may be made to the Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main Street, Pine Bluff, AR 71601.
Online condolences may be made at RalphRobinsonandSon.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Norma Hanson Roberts please visit our Sympathy Store. Previous Events Visitation DEC 14. 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son 807 Cherry Street Pine Bluff, AR, US, 71601 Service DEC 14.
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