Norma Pigott Ensminger

Norma Stewart Ensminger (neé Pigott) passed away on Sunday, November 22, 2015, after a long and difficult struggle with multiple illnesses. The longtime Mobile resident died peacefully in Hattiesburg, in the loving company of her son and daughter-in-law, Ross and Melissa Beauvais.

Born Norma Pigott in New Orleans on December 30, 1941, she was the eldest of four children of Norman and Eloise Conyers Pigott. After graduating from Warren Easton High School in New Orleans, she attended college briefly before marrying George P. Beauvais, with whom she raised four children. Following their divorce, Norma relocated with her children to Mobile to be closer to her parents.

Norma eventually returned to her college studies at the University of South Alabama, Mobile, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Special Education for both gifted and special needs children. She taught special education for many years at Murphy High School in Mobile. It was there that she met her beloved late husband, fellow teacher George “Corky” Ensminger, with whom she lived happily until his passing in April, 2011.

Norma’s four great passions were her family, teaching children, the appreciation of nature, and creating beautiful works of art. She was a gifted, award-winning artist whose water colors, acrylics and oil paintings were widely celebrated within Mobile’s art community. Norma was a member of the Cathedral Square Gallery artists’ co-op, the Watercolor and Graphic Arts Society of Mobile, and the Eastern Shore Art Center Association.

Throughout her life, Norma also supported those in need in her community through generous gifts to many local charities.

She is survived by her brother, Tom Pigott of Montgomery, TX, her sister, Frances Wright of Mobile; her grown children, Leslie Brand Beauvais of Los Angeles, Ross Beauvais of Hattiesburg, Aimee Beecroft of Anchorage, Katherine Bryant of Theodore; and her seven grandchildren, Chloe Beauvais, Michael Beecroft, Stephanie and Christina Bryant, Ethan Nicely, and Jacob and Parker Beauvais.

Devoted mother, dedicated teacher, caring mentor, and consummate artist, Norma’s loving spirit will live on in her beautiful creations, and in the hearts of all those she touched.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM this Saturday, November 28, 2015, at Pinecrest Funeral Home, 1939 Dauphin Island Parkway, Mobile, AL, 36605.