Norma Jean Helton

Norma, a long-time resident of Huntsville and North Alabama, passed away on the evening of February 9, 2023. Born on December 26, 1930, she was 92 years old at the time of her death. She was the second child and the oldest daughter of Mildred and Carlisle Robbins, of the Mentor Community in Blount County, Tennessee. Norma was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Layman Helton (died in 2014); by her fourth child, Jeanette Marie Helton (died in1957); and by her siblings, Donald Robbins, Betty Robbins Weaver, Wayne Robbins, and Howard Alan Robbins.

She is survived by her youngest sister, Diane Robbins Cooper; her children, Stanley Joseph Helton, Patricia Faith Helton Ross, and Anthony Lyndon Helton; daughter-in-law Jenny Helton and son-in-law Desmond Ross; as well as her grandchildren, Aaron Helton, Chris Ross, Jessica Helton, Nathan Ross, Anson Helton, and Jared Ross; and her great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchild (with many more to come).

While Norma was raising her children in the 1950s and 1960s, she was also getting an education: she earned an Associate, Bachelor, Master and Ed.D. Norma devoted herself to educating young people, teaching at Lee H.S. in Huntsville, Skyline and Woodville, and by serving as the first Coordinator of Special Education in Jackson County. She retired in 1990. Not yet finished, she then earned her certification as an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church. After serving as a local pastor, she then devoted herself to helping her husband, Rev. Albert L. Helton, as Pastor at Center Star U.M.C.

Ultimately, it was her faith garnered in her early life which inspired and motivated Norma Jean throughout her long, fruitful time on this Earth. She was and is one of God’s beautiful souls. And those of us who are left here for the time being will and do miss her greatly. We love you Momma.

A Graveside Service will be held on Monday, February 13, 2023 at 2:00pm at Valhalla Memory Gardens at Mausoleum Building D. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.valhallafunerals.com for the Helton family.