"For I am now ready to be offered, the time of my departure is at hand." II Timothy 4:6

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves  receive from God." II Corinthians 1:3-4

On Monday, August 8, 2022 at 5:35 am before the break of dawn, God in his infinite wisdom and strength, called our aunt, sister, and friend, Norma Jean Coley Norman, into His loving care in the company of her faithful and devoted niece, nephew and family.

"Jean", as she was affectionately known, was born in Goldsboro, NC on June 6, 1942 to the late Dennis R. Coley Sr. and Norma Barnes Coley. Jean was educated in Wayne County Public Schools where she graduated from Dillard High School in 1960. Upon graduation, she enrolled at Fayetteville State University, matriculated, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. After college graduation, Jean started employment as a Claims Representative with the Social Security Administration working 35 faithful years for the government until her retirement.

Jean had an intense love and affection for her family. She was the glue holding everyone together. Her love for her family mirrored the unconditional love Christ has shown for all of us. Be it family, friends, or church family, you could not encounter Jean and leave the same. Her quick wit left you thinking on your feet and offered encouragement at the same time. Even though her time of transition was near, she found the strength to murmur an encouraging word as she was more concerned about others well-being than her own.

Jean was a faithful member of Goler Metropolitan AME Zion Church, Winston-Salem, NC where she sang in the choir. She loved her church family immensely and enjoyed countless parking lot conversations, congregating even after service was over. Jean's reliability was extended to many church members by providing transportation to anyone needing a ride to church. In essence, she was an uber driver but never charged a fee. Jean was initiated in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Phi Omega Chapter, Winston-Salem, NC. and was an active member of the Fayetteville State University Alumni (Winston-Salem Chapter).

She was predeceased by her parents, Dennis R. Coley, Sr. and Norma Barnes Coley; and siblings, Sara Coley Wagstaff and Dennis R. Coley Jr.

Jean leaves to cherish her memory her loving brother, Walter B. Coley, Sr. (Reasie) of Portsmouth, VA; a loving sister-in-law, Mattie R. Coley of Raleigh, NC; nieces, Saraya Brown (Dexter) of Clayton, NC, Sonya Nicole Wagstaff of Winston-Salem, NC, and Reaco Coley Boyd (Ken) of Chesapeake, VA; nephews, Brian Coley (Michelle) of Raleigh, NC, Dennis R. Coley, III of Raleigh, NC, Walter B. Coley Jr. (Sara) of Sparks, NV, and Derek Carmichael of Greenville, NC; great-nieces and great-nephews; and special best friends, Dee Pendergrass Currence and Carolyn Henderson both of Winston-Salem, NC.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Sunday, August 14, 2022 at Russell Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm Monday, August 15, 2022 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel.  The family visitation will be held from 12:30pm until 1:00pm on Monday at the Chapel.