Norma Marie Jenkins Suttle, 90

Norma Suttle 08/06/1934 – 03/27/2025

Norma Marie Jenkins Suttle was born in New Castle, PA.  She was predeceased by her Parents Raymond and Myrtle Jenkins; Husband, Robert L. Suttle; Brother, Raymond L Jenkins; and Brother-in-law, Russell E. Schafer.  Mrs. Suttle is survived by her sister, Ethel Mae Schaefer of New Castle, PA; Nephews, Richard Jenkins of Seven Fields, PA,  Matthew Schafer of New Castle, PA, Stephen Schafer of Harrisburg, PA; and nieces, Cheryl Laudadio and Marcie Allen of Greensburg, PA

In a Child Evangelism class at the age of seven, Norma gave her life to the Lord Jesus. After high school, she attended Philadelphia Bible Institute (now Cairn University) and Bryan College in Dayton, TN.

Norma taught public school for three years. The superintendent was eager to have Christian teachers and told her later, “You are living proof that teachers are born, not made.” During that three-year period, she went to night school and summer school to get her Master of Science in Education.

She answered the call to missionary service with Independent Faith Mission. They sent her to Lausanne, Switzerland to perfect her French. Upon her arrival at the Geneva airport, Switzerland, she wondered how she would get to the Emmaus Bible Institute where she would live for the next thirteen months. Her seatmate on the plane said, “You may go with me!” and together, they went by taxi and the lady dropped her off. That night at supper, a Congolese pastor was there. When he heard that she was going to the Congo, he jumped up and down with Joy!

Norma said her year in Switzerland was the coldest one there in over one hundred years. An eiderdown comforter kept her cozy warm. No matter how cold, the Swiss always air the bedrooms. Emmaus always celebrated Pentecost, and a Swiss family attended. A friendship developed until they eventually “adopted” her.

From Switzerland, Norma flew to Rome and then onto the Congo.. The Congolese pastor met her at the airport in Leopoldville. Nine months later, at Christmas time, Norma visited friends with Baptist Mid Missions. “We knew something was afoot”. A civil war was going on and they passed checkpoints with Congolese police. When it was time to go back to the station, it was just in time to be helicoptered out by Swedish soldiers. Norma learned later that her friend Irene was killed by an arrow in her neck and Ruth was abducted. The U.S. Ambassador flew her and her colleagues in his plane to Leopoldville. Then Normal flew back to the US.

Returning to the Congo was impossible, so she was assigned to Suriname, South America, where she spent thirteen happy years. “‘The World in Miniature’ was the name given to Suriname by Pan American Airlines,” Norma says. Bauxite was mined in Suriname and Norma lived in a mining town. Her neighbors were Creoles (slaves who had escaped to the city), and folks from India, China, and Indonesia.  She taught Bible lessons to women and children in the church that was started in Moengo, the town where Alcoa aluminum mined bauxite. [2] She learned Dutch from a Suriname teacher who taught in the same school with her.  While there, three missionary children lived with her while their parents were ministering to
the people in the villages. Norma had a pen holder on her tray table made from the famous hardwoods found in Suriname.

After leaving Suriname, Norma took care of her parents and taught at a Christian school. It was Wanda Burcham, a missionary nurse to India from her home church in New Castle. Wanda introduced her to PRC. When Norma had a break, she’d fly to Florida to visit Wanda. She moved to PRC in 2002 and spent time with Wanda during Wanda’s last 2 years.

Norma’s husband to be, Bob, and his wife, Dot, came to PRC in 2004. Norma says, “Before she died, Dot told Bob to marry again.” Later, after her passing, Bob and Norma worked on several projects together at Penney Memorial Church.

Sometime after Dot passed, Bob called Norma and said, “I’d like to take you out to dinner.” Norma said, “I have shingles down the left side of my face.” Although she said no, she let him know she’d be glad to go later. After he’d called several times to check on the shingles. Finally, recovered, when asked again, “Where would you like to go?” “Longhorn Steak House,” she replied, “I have a five-dollar coupon!” They went there and a year later, married on April 30, 2012. They were the first of five couples to marry that year. They had two honeymoons, the first in April to Charleston, SC and the second in September, a cruise to Alaska. Norma said the most exciting thing she saw was the salmon jumping!

Bob passed on January 8, 2023 and Norma then moved to the Pavilion where she lived since January, 2023 until her passing.

Arrangements are under the care of Russell Haven of Rest Cemetery, Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 2335 Sandridge Road, Green Cove Springs, FL  32043.  Family and friends may share their condolences at: www.RHRFH.com 904-284-7720