In Loving Memory Of Norma Jean 'Jeanne' Bartley
Sept. 25, 1942 ~ Jan. 15, 2026
Norma Jean Bartley (Jeanne) of Sudan, Texas, sprinted into the arms of Jesus on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at the age of 83. During the final hours of her life, she was at home - surrounded by her family as they held her hands and prayed for the suffering to cease as she fought against respiratory failure. Shortly before sunrise, her suffering ended so she savored the awesome beauty of a sunrise from the realm of Heaven for the first time - as she tightly squeezed The Alpha and Omega!
Jeanne is survived by her eldest son, Lyn of Sudan; her middle son, Lee and his wife, Karen, from Amarillo, Texas; her youngest son, Michael and his wife, Ashley of Sudan; and her daughter, Misty of Sudan. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Vicky (Bartley) Williams and her husband, JC of Marble Falls, Texas. Jeanne's additional legacy includes her grandchildren, Shelby, Ashton, Ryan, Lexi, and Tate; and one great grandchild, Kylan.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Ronda; her parents; and her husband.
Jeanne was born in Amherst, Texas on September 25, 1942 to Lloyd and Edna Seymore. She attended school in Sudan and graduated in May 1961. She attended South Plains College in Levelland, Texas, followed by West Texas State University in Canyon, Texas, and graduated from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas with a baccalaureate degree in Education with a minor in Music.
After 4 years of dating, Jeanne married Gene Richard Bartley on December 27, 1962. They briefly lived in town, but it was not long before they moved their young family to the country West of town. A few years thereafter, they relocated to their homestead South of Sudan in 1978 where she lived these past 48 years. Jeanne was extremely proud of her genealogical roots…tracing that land (and her parent's land) back to when Texas was originally settled…historically recorded as being among Texas First Families, Austin's 300, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and Daughters of the American Revolution.
Jeanne's top priority was her family, and secondly she enjoyed helping her surrounding communities. Jeanne was very talented and truly a jack-of-many-trades. She was an incredible wife and mother while also a fantastic cook, woodworker, seamstress, gardener, ceramist, pianist, saxophone player, and soprano singer. For about 25 years, she ceaselessly served as a homemaker while also periodically serving as a Cub Scout mom, substitute teacher, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, President of Amherst's Hospital Auxiliary, Red Cross Volunteer, and Amway Distributor.
In 1990…once an empty-nester…she pursued her life-long dream of being a full-time teacher whereby she served as a GED teacher in Lamb County until 2018. Due to her dedication and enduring love, she awarded GED diplomas to 435 students…changing the course of their lives forever!
At a young age, she gave her life to Christ and devoted her life's activities to serving God – to be a vessel of goodness, kindness, encouragement, discipline, wisdom, and love woven together and rooted in the Word of God! Her faith absolutely sustained her all the days of her life! It is with solid confidence that the family know she is resting peacefully now – no more struggles, no more pain, nor more suffering!!! She is now (and forever) in the loving arms of God!
The Celebration of Life was held Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 1:00 pm at Sudan Church of Christ and then she was laid to rest immediately following at the Littlefield Memorial Park Cemetery.
The family respectfully requests in lieu of flowers or plants, that donations be given to either the Sudan EMS or Littlefield EMS, in remembrance of Jeanne.