Norma Lee (Sole) Tarr

NORMA LEE (SOLE) TARR, of Weirton, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2025 at WMC, just after celebrating her 90th birthday. She born on December 7, 1935 to the late Leonard Ross Sole and Thelma Marie Carroll.

Norma lived a life rooted in devotion to her family, her community, and the people that she served. She was a woman of quiet strength, deep compassion, and unwavering integrity, remembered for the way she showed up for others with both grace and determination.

She graduated from Weir High School in 1954 and began working as a telephone operator for C&P Telephone. One year later, a blind date lead her to meet the love of her life. Just two weeks after their first date Norma and Henry O. Tarr knew that they were meant to be and eloped in July of 1955. What began as a whirlwind romance grew into a remarkable 64 year marriage, a lifetime marked by devotion, shared purpose, and countless cherished moments. They were inseparable in life and only parted when Henry passed in 2019. Together, they built a life grounded in family, service and enduring love.

She was a lifelong resident of Brooke County, where she chose to raise her family and began a lifetime of service to the community she loved. For more than 60 years, she devoted herself to giving back and serving Brooke County in countless ways.

She got her start in 1970, by establishing the Brooke County Chapter of Democratic Women, an organization centered on advancing policies that support women and families, increasing female participation in the political process and electing pro-choice Democratic women to office. She was elected and became the first president of the Brooke County chapter.

In 1978, she was elected Brooke County Magistrate, the first female Magistrate in the state of West Virginia, a position that she would be re-elected to and faithfully hold for the next 22 years, serving her community with fairness, integrity, and compassion until her retirement in 2000.

After a brief time enjoying her retirement, she realized that her calling to public service was far from over. She returned to civic life and was elected as the first female County Commissioner of Brooke County, a role she held for 12 years, continuing her lifelong commitment to leadership and community improvement. 

No matter what the title, she was always giving back, volunteering her time, serving on boards and staying deeply involved in the community she loved. She served on the Supreme Court of appeals, was a member of the Follansbee United Methodist church and the Naomi Rebekah Lodge #42 of Colliers.

Along with her parents, Norma was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Tarr; her brother, Leonard Sole; and her daughter, Verna Tarr.

Norma is survived by her son, James Tarr (Kim) of North Port, FL; her granddaughter, Chelsea Tarr-Saunders of Follansbee; great grandson, Kody Oliver Saunders of Follansbee; daughter-in-law, Linda Snyder of Colliers; sisters-in-law, Linda Sole and Vera Krupp of Weirton; and her lifelong best friend, Sue Putich.

Visitation will take place Friday, December 19, from 2:00 to 4:00pm and from 6:00 to 8:00pm, at Steel & Wolfe Funeral Home, 380 Penco Road, Weirton, where the service will be Saturday at 11:00am with Pastor Christina Parnell presiding. Interment will follow next to her beloved Henry at Highland Hills Memorial Gardens, Follansbee.

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