Norma Jean Yocum Harlan

Norma Jean Yocum Harlan passed away peacefully, Saturday June 7, 2025 at 96 years of age.

Born in Warrenton, Missouri April 26, 1929, to the late Frank and Clara Yocum, she was also preceded in death by her husband Frank Marion Harlan, 2 brothers and 1 sister.

She thrived at Deerfield Retirement Community in Asheville during the last 25 years of life and was always respectfully and warmly treated by the staff. Heartfelt thanks go to Delaina Davis, Dr. Will McLean, the Skilled Nursing staff at Deerfield and to the Four Seasons Hospice staff. Although she lived the last 1½ years of her life with pancreatic cancer, it didn’t slow her down or make her “sick” due to the compassionate care of Dr. Martin Palmeri and Nicole Crane at Messino Cancer Center.

She leaves behind 2 loving sons, Steve (Katheryn) of Hickory, Kevin (Mary Kaye) of St Louis, 4 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

A private interment service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Salvation Army of Buncombe County, P.O. Box 1778, Asheville, NC 28802, (https://give.salvationarmycarolinas.org/give/426065/#!/donation/checkout) or to the Four Seasons Foundation, 211 N Main Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792 (https://fourseasonsfdn.org/ways-to-give/give-today/)

Groce Funeral Home’s Lake Julian team is assisting the family.