Cremation Society of Georgia
Norma Jean Dawson Mahood-Bay was born in Bramwell, West Virginia on September 23, 1936, the sixth child of Sadie Doss Dawson and Jon Rages Dawson. She grew up in Bramwell, and graduated from Bramwell High School in 1955 where she played the first chair clarinet in the local and all state bands. The head majorette, she's the only majorette at Bramwell High School to twirl fire batons!
She attended the Jefferson School of nursing in Roanoke, Virginia and worked as a registered nurse in West Virginia, Virginia and Florida. She was married to John Jefferson Mahood in 1961 until his death in 1999. Then, she was married to Elmer Hall Bay from 2001 until his death in 2016.
After raising her children, Norma went back to school and earned a Bachelor of Science
degree from Bluefield College, then a Masters Degree of Arts in liberal studies from Hollins University. She loved studying opera, and honing her writing skills.
Her love of community, her outgoing nature, and the challenges of writing on a deadline led her to her next vocation - 13 years as a lifestyles columnist at the Bluefield Daily Telegraph. A long time member of Christ Episcopal Church in Bluefield WV, she served in the choir, the altar guild and was a licensed lay reader. Norma was the president of the women's auxiliary of the Mercer County Medical Society and also served as Vice President of the women's auxiliary of the West Virginia State Medical Association.
Many of Norma's friends know her through music and art. She was an avid dulcimer player and watercolor artist, and loved to cook and entertain. But of all of her accomplishments she considered being a mother and homemaker for her family her most enjoyable work. And she particularly loved being "Tweedle" to her grandsons!
She is survived by her daughters Jean Mahood and Julia Mahood, her son-in-law Rex Macey, and her grandsons Noah Mahood Macey and Samuel Mahood Macey, her sister Louise Dawson Stoker, her step daughter Kathleen Brinkman and step grandson Alex Page, and many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her siblings Rages Lee Dawson, Betty Dawson Haskew, Curtis Hampton Dawson, William Floyd Dawson, and James Robert Dawson.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 9, beginning at 10:30 am, followed by the funeral at 11:30 am, at Christ Episcopal Church (200 Duhring Street, Bluefield, West Virginia 24701). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Episcopal Church or a charity of your choice.
LINKS
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
http://www.bdtonline.com
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