Norma Jean Christian was born to the late Chester L. Smith and Virginia R. Smith, October 8, 1943, in Portland, Oregon. At the age of 2, her family moved to Stockton, CA where Norma grew up and remained until her passing. She attended and completed Taft Elementary, Marshall Jr. High, and Edison High schools during her childhood. She also attended San Joaquin Delta College, majoring in Psychology.
Norma was a very active and outgoing woman. As a young adult, she enjoyed the energy of her job and coworkers at Johns Manville Pipe Co. as well as hosting family gatherings (ie weddings, parties, and holiday celebrations) at her home. During her mature years, despite health issues, she still insisted on continuing to work, drive, cook, and do housework. Norma enjoyed going to the movies with her grandchildren, celebrating family birthdays, and visiting the Bay Area, walking around Lake Merritt in Oakland, and the Embarcadero area in San Francisco, and taking boat cruises around the Bay. Like her mother, Norma enjoyed, and would pray for good things to happen for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Norma is preceded in death by both of her parents (see above); Daughter: Rita Diamond; brothers Chester, Kenneth, and Charles Smith. Norma leaves to cherish her memories, 3 children: Anthony Edmond (Folsom, CA); Cheryl Diamond (Stockton,CA); James Diamond (San Francisco, CA); 2 Grandchildren whom she raised: Ebony Evans & Swakea Mitchell (Stockton, CA); and a host of other grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as 1 great-great-grandson. Last but not least, her siblings, Roberta Chamberlain, Lorraine Smith, Ruth Smith-Henderson, Margorie Hester and David Smith (Stockton, CA) and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
The Viewing ceremony will be held on Tuesday, December 3d at Frisbie Warren & Carroll Mortuary (Address: 809 N California St, Stockton, CA 95202, (209) 464-4711, from 3pm to 7pm). Then, her Celebration of Life will be at White Rose the Church of God in Christ, 2340 S Pilgrim St, Stockton, CA 95206, on Wednesday, December 4th, at 11AM. The burial will take place at Valley Home Memorial Park Cemetery located at 30705 Lone Tree Rd, Oakdale, CA. After funeral services, funeral reception (repass) will take place, upon the family's return to White Rose Church. For information and offers of assistance with these services, the family requests that people contact Cheryl Diamond at 209-470-2697
