Bobby Lee Norman

Mr. Robert “Bobby” Lee Norman, Jr., age 83, a longtime resident of the Water Valley Community, passed away on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at Maury Regional Medical Center.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, July 27th at 3:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home, with Ricky Clay officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Cemetery with military honors. The family will visit with friends on Sunday from 12:30 PM until the service hour at the funeral home. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Born on March 15, 1942, in Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee, Bobby was the son of the late Robert Lee Norman, Sr. and the late Helen Lorraine Byrd Norman. He graduated from Central High School in 1961 and proudly served his country in the United States Army, including active duty during the Vietnam War, where he was awarded the Purple Heart.

On August 9, 1966, Bobby married the love of his life, Alma Faye Choate, knowing from the very first blind date that she was the one. Together they shared nearly 59 years of marriage, building a life rooted in love, faith, and family.

Bobby worked for Stauffer Chemical Company before joining U-Car Carbon Plant, where he dedicated over 30 years of service. A man of strong faith, he and Alma were longtime members of both Water Valley Church of Christ and Theta Church of Christ. He served as a deacon at Water Valley and together him and Alma taught Sunday school classes for many years.

He loved all animals, especially dogs and horses, and enjoyed horseback riding and watching Westerns on television. Above all, Bobby was a devoted family man who found great joy in spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His kind heart, strong values, and loving presence will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his loving wife, Alma Faye Choate Norman; sons, Monte Russell (Tonya) Norman of Water Valley and Lee Shawn Norman of Santa Fe; sister, Shirley McKennon; grandchildren, Kaylee (Jonathan) Daniels, Shannon Norman (Michael Marzano), Tanna (Bryce) Heathcott, Alyssa Norman (Cory McCord), and Ty Norman (Hayley Ballow); and great-grandchildren, Milee Daniels, Emma Daniels, Brooks Heathcott, Colter Lee Heathcott, and Mia Marzano.

He is also survived by sisters- and brothers-in-law: Barbara (Weldon) Adams, Cordell (Maie) Choate, Judy Poyner (Wendell Jump), Gladys (JB) West, Phyllis (Enoch) George, and Donald Hassell; many nieces and nephews; and dear friends Pete Ridley and Reba Thomas; his special coworker and friend, Sherman Miller; and special friends Eric Hill, Ricky Clay, and Betty Shouse, along with the late Bobby Shouse.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Jayne and Mack Parson, and sister-in-law, Mary Hassell.

Pallbearers will be Jonathan Daniels, Cory McCord, Bryce Heathcott, Michael Marzano, Kelvin Poyner, and Brian George. Honorary pallbearers will be the men of Water Valley Church of Christ and Theta Church of Christ.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the nurses on the first floor of Maury Regional Medical Center for the compassionate care shown to Bobby.

Memorial donations may be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Vietnam Veterans of America – Maury County Chapter, 308 W. 7th Street, Columbia, TN 38401