Obituary for Norma Jean Thompson (Huffman)
“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her worth is far above rubies. Her children rise and call her blessed.” Proverbs 31:10, 28.
Norma Jean Thompson, who was the daughter of Thomas Burnett and Thelma Marie Huffman and the oldest of five children, went home to be with our Savior on Friday, June 19, 2015, and to be reunited with her parents and her beloved grandson, Dylan Martin.
She is survived by her daughter, Paula Thompson-Martin; son-in-law, Jimmy Martin; along with her pride and joy in her life, grandson Dustin Thompson. Special acknowledgement to Paula’s father, Barry S. Thompson, who remained a close friend to Norma Jean.
Norma’s family includes her oldest brother, Thomas Huffman; sister, Debbie Bass and husband Jesse; brother, Jerry Huffman and partner Harvey Cleaton; and brother Mike Huffman and wife Regina. Nieces and nephews include Latisha and partner Eric, Jeremy, Matthew and wife Elizabeth, Jessica and partner Danielle, Billy and wife Erin, Samantha and husband Tanner. Great nieces and nephews include Courtney, Sarah, Kendra, Cory, Blake, Evyn, Eli, Julius, and Keegan.
Norma Jean was kind, funny, and a humble woman who was also known as “The Warden” from her years of being a grandmother and watching over her son-in-law. Norma’s life was defined by giving to her family and she was always willing to help others. She was a devoted mother and grandmother. She always knew she would receive hugs and kisses from her two grandsons, Dustin and Dylan, who called her “Ganny”. Her kindness, selflessness, and generosity knew no bound, especially when she could play the role of “Ganny”. She never said no to anyone who asked for help. Norma Jean was known and loved by so many people. Her physical being is no longer with us, but her spirit lives on in those who were blessed with the priceless gifts of knowing and loving her. Her vehicle accident six and half years ago left her disabled and unable to care for herself, yet she always wanted to help those she loved. The words written here are insufficient to characterize the legacy she leaves behind. The last five years have been long, trying and very difficult at times, yet she tried daily, hourly, by the minutes and seconds to be a real trooper.
The family would like to acknowledge and give a heart filled thanks to her caregiver and friend, Harvey Cleaton, for the love, care, and devotion he gave to Norma Jean.
Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.johnmoakey.com.
The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday June 21, 2015 at John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem. Funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, June 22, 2015 in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at Cedar Lawn Burial Park in Roanoke. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Virginia Baptist Children’s Home Museum, P.O. Box 849, Salem, VA 24153.
“Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming in which all that are in the graves shall hear this voice.” John 5:28.
She has blessed all who knew her. Thank you sister, mother, Ganny, and “The Warden”. We could not have had a better loved one. Words we will always remember you by: “Love you, see you, bye.”
Arrangements by John M. Oakey and Son, Salem, 540-389-5441.
Norma Jean Thompson, who was the daughter of Thomas Burnett and Thelma Marie Huffman and the oldest of five children, went home to be with our Savior on Friday, June 19, 2015, and to be reunited with her parents and her beloved grandson, Dylan Martin.
She is survived by her daughter, Paula Thompson-Martin; son-in-law, Jimmy Martin; along with her pride and joy in her life, grandson Dustin Thompson. Special acknowledgement to Paula’s father, Barry S. Thompson, who remained a close friend to Norma Jean.
Norma’s family includes her oldest brother, Thomas Huffman; sister, Debbie Bass and husband Jesse; brother, Jerry Huffman and partner Harvey Cleaton; and brother Mike Huffman and wife Regina. Nieces and nephews include Latisha and partner Eric, Jeremy, Matthew and wife Elizabeth, Jessica and partner Danielle, Billy and wife Erin, Samantha and husband Tanner. Great nieces and nephews include Courtney, Sarah, Kendra, Cory, Blake, Evyn, Eli, Julius, and Keegan.
Norma Jean was kind, funny, and a humble woman who was also known as “The Warden” from her years of being a grandmother and watching over her son-in-law. Norma’s life was defined by giving to her family and she was always willing to help others. She was a devoted mother and grandmother. She always knew she would receive hugs and kisses from her two grandsons, Dustin and Dylan, who called her “Ganny”. Her kindness, selflessness, and generosity knew no bound, especially when she could play the role of “Ganny”. She never said no to anyone who asked for help. Norma Jean was known and loved by so many people. Her physical being is no longer with us, but her spirit lives on in those who were blessed with the priceless gifts of knowing and loving her. Her vehicle accident six and half years ago left her disabled and unable to care for herself, yet she always wanted to help those she loved. The words written here are insufficient to characterize the legacy she leaves behind. The last five years have been long, trying and very difficult at times, yet she tried daily, hourly, by the minutes and seconds to be a real trooper.
The family would like to acknowledge and give a heart filled thanks to her caregiver and friend, Harvey Cleaton, for the love, care, and devotion he gave to Norma Jean.
Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.johnmoakey.com.
The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday June 21, 2015 at John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem. Funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, June 22, 2015 in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at Cedar Lawn Burial Park in Roanoke. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Virginia Baptist Children’s Home Museum, P.O. Box 849, Salem, VA 24153.
“Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming in which all that are in the graves shall hear this voice.” John 5:28.
She has blessed all who knew her. Thank you sister, mother, Ganny, and “The Warden”. We could not have had a better loved one. Words we will always remember you by: “Love you, see you, bye.”
Arrangements by John M. Oakey and Son, Salem, 540-389-5441.
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