Donna Parsons Norman

Donna is survived by her mother, Florene Parsons; her son, Forrest Norman and his wife, Lydia Aybar; her son Christopher Norman and his husband, Alex Milwee; her grandson Nicholas Norman; her brother John Michael Parsons and his three children, Rena, John Michael, and Anna; her brother Steven Parsons and his wife Beth Parsons, and their children Cory and Emily; her great-nieces and great-nephews; and countless friends.

She joins her father, John Parsons, and her sister Susan Parsons.

Donna was born on December 2, 1949 in Dothan, Alabama. She graduated from Troy University with a teaching degree and worked as an educator for five decades. The only thing to which she devoted more care than the classroom was her family. She was married for 24 years to James Norman and worked hard to provide her children and husband with a happy, loving home. She lived in Dothan, in Pensacola, Florida, in Northern Virginia, and in North Carolina, and she brought an irrepressible dedication to her family and friends to all of those places.

Donna was a spiritual woman, which manifested first and foremost in her devotion to the Episcopal Church, but also in her willingness to be a spiritual explorer. She found comfort and sustenance in speaking with friends and experts about many faiths and spiritual modes and is no doubt reaping joy from having answers to some of her lifelong questions. She loved to travel with her family, and delighted especially in her travels with Christopher, who was her companion and guide on trips to Thailand and the British Isles, among many other places. She loved music and could not be stopped from singing along with any classic Motown song. She truly loved Christmas, and was joined by her sons and their families, and her niece Anna (who held a special place in Donna’s heart), for a memorably joyous Christmas in 2019.

The number of cards, calls, and visits from friends and family as the Lewy Body Dementia progressed in 2020 is a testament to how many people she touched in her lifetime. She will be deeply missed by all of them.

A memorial service will be held in Washington DC when large gatherings are safe. If you feel moved to take action, please consider donating to an education-based charity like Donors Choose (donorschoose.org), or raising a glass of champagne and toasting to happy memories of Donna.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh.