Laura Mae Norman

Laura Mae Norman “MomaLaura” was born to the late Constantine and Janie Gray on October 24, 1921 in Mount Pisgah, TN. She passed from her earthly home to her heavenly reward on September 10, 2018 with family by her side. MomaLaura was preceded in death by her husband James Norman, Private 1st Class, WWII; siblings Katherine Bell and Nellie Strawter; daughters Kathryn Baker, Bobbie (Armond) Miller, Joyce Lockett and Sarah Johnson; sons Andrew Norman, Thomas Watkins and James Fannings; great-grand children Michael Murray and Emanuel Thirkill, Jr.


Early Life

A dedicated servant of the Lord from early childhood, Laura grew up attending Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church. She attended Williamson County Public Schools during segregation completing her studies through the 6th grade. Not long after she became a caregiver for the Booth family where she garnered her skills as a nurturing Mother in the community. Laura was also a gifted seamstress and excellent cook. MomaLaura was a very diligent, hard-working and wise woman. Industrious in her own right, much of her learning came from self-dedication and her experiences throughout life. She learned at early age the importance of family and being independent.


Love, Marriage, Faith and Family

On March 10, 1969 Laura married the love of her life, James Norman. From their union 9 children were born in Christ. She was baptized at Trinity A.M.E. Church in Nashville, TN where she anchored her family in God. Laura was an active member in African Methodist Church, whose motto is “God Our Father, Christ Our Redeemer, Holy Spirit Our Comforter, Humankind Our Family.” She was a member of the Usher Board and Young People’s Department.

As a praying woman, she carried her passion for the Lord, her Peace, her Love and Joy to everyone she met. Laura took in and cared for many people over the years whether it was family, friends or neighbors. MomaLaura enjoyed having a house full of love and life. She taught her friends and family the importance of education. This was conveyed to her grandchildren by teaching them to read, write and do arithmetic before the age of 4. She operated an in-home daycare to assist families with childcare in the neighborhood. Her students over the years would stop by when they returned home from college or travels to share their stories with MomaLaura and seek her advice. She nurtured many people in South Nashville and her home at 1245 Lewis Street is a community marker and safe haven that still stands to this day.

During her later years she became a member of St. Luke Primitive Baptist Church (Nashville, TN). She later joined Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church (Nashville, TN) with her granddaughters Denae and Shonta. Laura contributed to a family lineage of 3 Sons, 6 Daughters,13 Grandkids and 15 great-grandkids. MomaLaura enjoyed walking, being with friends and taking road trips with her grandchildren. She would often tell stories of her childhood and reminisce about growing up in Mt. Pisgah which is now Brentwood, TN.


Left to Mourn

MomaLaura leaves to cherish her memory and legacy daughters, Norma (Jerome) Howse and Mary Hyde; devoted granddaughters, Shawanna (Christopher) Lewis, Katrina (Lola) Oredugba and Tonya Brown; devoted great-grand children, Dwayne Small Jr. and Emari Norman; grandchildren, Angela (Lester) Haynes, Rachelle Lockett, Dionne Lockett, Eugene Lockett III,  David Fannings, Lisa Fannings, Christy Ann Fannings, Nicole Johnson, Conswella Watkins, Tawana (Robert) Balyorugulu; great-grandchildren, Eugene Lockett IV, Jayden Lockett, Kimora Lockett, Coya Hayes, Branta Lockett, Kazonte Lockett, Kiara Lockett, Decory Smith, Breona Shute, Victor Shute, Dajuan Pointer, Joquan Webster, Tro’Laurence McMillion, Nicholas Balyorugulu and a host of nieces, nephews and devoted family friends.