Norma Ann (Bailey) Koch, age 93 of Harrison passed away Friday, May 30, 2025, in Harrison.

The daughter of Mildred and Knute Wilhelms was born on October 12, 1931, in Birmingham, Alabama.  Norma grew up in Texas and spent her childhood summers with family in Alabama.

She married Ray Koch Jr, the love of her life on October 17, 1950.  They lived in Texas for many years while Ray attended Texas A&M and began his life in the corporate world.  Norma worked several jobs as a receptionist and switchboard operator in her early married years.

As Ray's career took off, they lived in Texas, southern California, New York, Connecticut, and Michigan.  During this time, they were blessed with two children, Blaise and Holly.  The family lived in Frisco, Colorado for nine years before settling in Harrison in 1978.

Norma was known for her kind and caring nature and her beautiful blue eyes.  Ray hardly ever referred to her as Norma.  He called her "Sapphire".

Norma loved her husband and children.  But when her grandsons, Bryan and Landon came along she stepped up her game!  As Grandma, she loved to babysit her grands.  Anything the grandsons wanted was OK with Grandma!  Bryan and Landon loved biscuits and gravy.  So not surprisingly Grandma Koch frequently cooked biscuits and gravy.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Ray.

She is survived by a son, Blaise Koch Sr and his wife Marla of Harrison, a daughter Holly Hood and life partner Bill Finley of Bentonville AR, two grandsons Bryan Koch Jr of Seattle, Landon Koch and his wife McKenzie of Harrison and twin great granddaughters, Callie Blaise Koch and Camryn Elizabeth Koch of Harrison.

Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Crossroads Community Church in Harrison with Pastor Johnny Walters officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Crossroads Community Church in Norma's memory at 2658 Old Bergman Road, Harrison AR  72601.