Charles Desmond Norman

Charles Desmond Norman (Desi), 92, Beloved Husband, Father, Brother, Uncle, Grandfather, and Great-Grandfather passed on Saturday April 10,2021. Charles was born August 2, 1928 to Charles H. Norman and Anita Smith Norman. He was the youngest of five children, sisters Elaine Greenwood, deceased, Helen Martin, Gloria Garrett and brother Leroy (Sonny). He grew up on the Jersey shore, Asbury Park, NJ. Charles graduated from Asbury Park High School, received a Nursing degree from Rockland State Hospital and held a BS in Hospital Administration from Monmouth University. He was a Veteran and served in the Korean War. In 1958 he married Lillian Page, from Asbury Park, NJ. They had two children Janet Norman Daniels of Richmond, VA and Helaine Dolese (Tyrus) of Destrehan LA. Charles’ caring nature led him to a career in nursing. He was a Registered Nurse and worked as an administrator at Marlboro State Hospital in New Jersey for over 40 years. He was a lifelong learner and avid reader, keeping a list of the many books he read. He enjoyed watching sports, everything from football to tennis to billiards. Charles loved traveling and spent many a summer traveling the USA camping cross country twice and up and down the east coast a multitude of times. Desi, as he was known to family, loved gathering with family and friends and was a fierce competitor at card and board games. He loved to swim and did so as often as possible whether in the ocean or in the pool. Upon retirement he and Lillian moved to Nathalie, VA where they became Master Gardeners and enjoyed their many acres of land. They spent their early years of retirement cruising abroad, from Jazz Cruises, and travel to Africa, South America, Asia, the Mediterranean, to a 96 Day World cruise. In 1996, they moved to Richmond, VA to be closer to their grandchildren Taylor Daniels (Richmond, VA) and Kirsten Daniels (Timonium, MD). Charles will also be missed by 4 Step-Grandchildren Ty (Paulette), Ryan (Angela) Dolese, Katie (Drew) Guajardo and Emily Dolese, and 6 step-great grandchildren, Joshua, Patrick, Luke, and Sophia Dolese, and Rebecca and Charlie Guajardo. Charles leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 62 years, Lillian, two daughters and grandchildren, sisters Helen Martin and Gloria Garrett, Nieces & Nephews: Anthony (Merle), Albert (Eva), Joyce, Desi (Laurie), Ralph (Ellen), Jo-Ann and Anita (Tredick). Cousins Glenda, Tavia, Ardele, Marsha, Susie, Frank, Florence, and many more family and friends. A Memorial Service will be held at Woody Funeral Home 1771 N. Parham Road Henrico, VA 23229 on Friday May 7, 2021 at 5:00pm The family asks, in lieu of any other acts of kindness, that a Memorial Donation be made to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, in Memory of Charles D. Norman. https://livestream.com/accounts/7787388/events/9646921