Deborah Ann Norman

Deborah Ann Norman, 64, of Houston, Texas, passed away on Sunday, September 13, 2020. She was born in Manhattan, New York on March 1, 1956 to Gilbert (Marin) Normand and Ruth (Elenore) Lavigne Norman(d). Deborah was the last born of 7 children. She is proceeded in death by her parents, oldest daughter Yolanda Richardson, and two brothers, Jerome Jude Norman and Philip Norman.

She leaves behind three daughters Tomika Dancer, Joscelyn Norman and Nicole Houston, whom all resides in Houston, Texas. Along with thirteen grandchildren (Blake Thibodeaux, Karena Thibodeaux, Jacoby Dancer, Jaquan Dancer, Tyler Paul, Aniyah Lewis, Isaiah Jones, Jimmie Jones III, Chris Kelly, Truth Kelly, Justice Reece, and Honour Kelly), and six great grandchildren. She also leaves behind a brother, Gilbert Kenneth Norman and three sisters Emily Rose Grant, Jacqueline Ruth Lieber and Kathryn Ann Mabron, her aunt Lena Carrier, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Deborah, held a certificate in Office and Apartment Management. She worked as a construction worker in her younger days, and then once she moved to Houston, she begin to work as a case manager for the elderly.

She will always be remembered as a brilliant woman who had a constant thirst for knowledge. She had a high IQ and excelled in school to the point that they skipped her numerous grades. By the time she was 15, her high school did not have any classes to offer her because she was too advanced. So, in order to keep her busy, the school made her an assistant in the Library. There she met her childhood sweetheart, James M. Richardson and married him. In that union between the two they had two daughters, Yolanda and Tomika. Later, she divorced and moved to Houston, Texas and had two more daughters, Joscelyn Ruth and Nicole Jenean. She was a fighter and a very strong woman. She shared whatever she had with her family and friends. She was a devout Catholic even though she was unable to make it to church, she would watch mass on television. As her health deteriorated, she went into a skilled nursing facility and hospice.  She was then called on to Glory on Sunday, September 13, 2020 at 12:15 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to: https://www.gatheringus.com/memorial/deborah-ann-norman/5072

Words and Memories from the family:

Tomika - Mom you will always and forever be in my heart. I remember when myself and our oldest sister Yolanda was young, mom would bring us to the store and tell us to buy whatever we wanted. “We all know that you can’t tell kids that”. Anyways, no matter how close or far she was from Yolanda and I, she always made sure that we were good. I will miss you mom, until we meet again.

Blake - Ganny you will be truly missed; she was the funniest grandmother and an amazing cook. It was always fun staying over at her place when I was younger”.

Karena -“Ganny you will be missed. I know that you are at peace with my mom. I can definitely still hear your voice saying “It’s the Gan” whenever you would call or when you would chase us with your finger. I love you so much and enjoy the union with your daughter, both of you rest in Heaven”

Jacoby - “Ganny was the best grandmother that a person could ever ask for. I remember all of the snacks that she would have for us when we would come to visit. When we knew that we were going to spend the night at ganny’s house, we would be prepared for a wave a snacks. Rest in Heaven GANNY!!

Jaquan - “Ganny was so sweet to us but she could definitely be fiesty when she needed to but she loved her grandkids. Rest in Heaven my angel”

Kathy - My sister was always tough and a fighter. She would fight even if there wasn't anything to fight about. My Dad called her his ball of fire. One Christmas, My Mom went to visit her family in Louisiana and left us home with Kenneth in NY. She gave us money for presents and Ken took us to the mall and left us there, (I guess we took too long for him) and Debbie and I had to catch the bus from Long Island and walk from there. Man it was snowing like crazy!! The snow was so deep, we had a hard time walking, dragging a six foot Christmas tree! We were stumbling and falling in the deep snow when we looked at one another and broke out laughing!! We looked so funny dragging the plastic bags and packages!!

Jackie - My most memorable memory of her was when she lived in Opelousas and worked construction on the Highway. She was the only woman working with that crew. She drove a forklift and had a construction helmet and boots on. I had come to visit her and grandpa said she is working on the road. I laughed when I saw her because she was something else!

James- "to the family there is a time to live an a time to die we have only choices while we live here but death come from the most high god stay strong"