May 11, 2023, 83, Goldsboro –

Norma Jean Ashley, formerly of Florida passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family, Thursday, May 11, 2023, at home. Born in Miami, Florida on November 15, 1939, she was the daughter of the late William and Margaret Kneisley.

Norma believed in serving God and her community. Before relocating to Mt. Olive, she was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church of Boynton Beach, FL, and also a former member of Tropical Sands Christian Church of Palm Beach Gardens, FL. After moving to Mt. Olive, Norma joined First Baptist Church Goldsboro and was active as long as her health allowed.

Education was a very important part of Norma’s life. She was named valedictorian of her high school class at Perry High School and was a 1962 graduate of Bowling Green State University. She later went on to Palm Beach Atlantic University where she obtained her MBA. She was also a member of Delta Zeta at BGSU.

Norma was a true music lover. She loved all things music. She was a member of SAI, a music fraternity for women. Norma was also a proud member of the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus under the direction of Robert Shaw and George Szell. Norma’s minor in college was music, which helped to lay the foundation for her becoming an accomplished musician, not only in the church but in the community as well. Her ability to sight-read music allowed her to accompany the best of singers.

For thirty-seven years, Norma served as the Controller at Palm Beach Pathology.

Left to cherish her memory are her sons, Carl and wife, Marie and Craig and wife Carmen; grandchildren, Ellen Ashley, Emily Ashley, and Ian Ashley; and sister, Nancy A. Jungemann and husband, Fred; nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, Norma was preceded in death by her infant brother Ronald Lewis Kneisley.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 10:00 AM at First Baptist Church Goldsboro with Rev. Dr. Glenn Phillips officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org).

Arrangements have been entrusted to Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Online condolences may be expressed at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.