Norma Gosnell Sluder

Norma Armetta Gosnell Sluder, 81, of Maiden, went home to be with the Lord unexpectedly on Wednesday, January 22, 2014. Born on December 18, 1932 in Asheville, she was the daughter of Robert and Leila Gosnell. She was the baby of what she liked to call a “yours, mine, and ours” family which included a total of 12 children. Norma graduated from Lee Edwards High School in 1952. She soon began writing letters to a family friend who was in the service, William Lyston Sluder. Over time their letters sparked a love that blossomed. Norma and Bill married on October 29, 1955 in Asheville and were married for 38 years. She loved to tell people the story of how she “fell in love through letters” and has treasured their love letters ever since.

Norma had a passion for Christ and was very involved in her church, Friendship UMC. She had a servant’s heart and was always happy to help whenever and wherever needed. She served as Friendship’s leader of Evangelism, Communications, and the Prayer Chain and was very involved in the United Methodist Women. She loved her Sunday school class and especially her weekly Bible study groups which she attended throughout her years at Friendship. Norma had a wonderful talent for reaching out to others through her handwritten words. She loved to send cards, notes and letters and led many visitors to become members at Friendship through her outreach and words of love.

Norma was a very humble and generous woman. She lived modestly and was happy and content with whatever she had in life. She considered her family and friends as God’s precious gifts. Even though time took its toll on her body, her personality never aged and she continued to be young at heart. Her great sense of humor and her joking and fun-loving nature made her loved by everyone around her, both young and old. She never made an enemy and never met a stranger.

Norma loved spending time with her family. She was a wonderful, loving mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her grandchildren and great-grandson were the “lights of her life” and always brightened her day each time she saw them. Throughout the years, she never missed attending her grandchildren’s activities and especially loved going to her granddaughter Lindsay’s dance recitals and her grandson Jeremy’s concerts and plays.

Norma, lovingly known as Nana, was the heart of her family. She was dearly loved by her family and friends and she will be greatly missed!

Norma was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bill, her infant daughter Marina, and numerous brothers and sisters. She is survived by her daughter Melanie Whitener and husband Terry of Terrell, grandson Jeremy Whitener of Newton, granddaughter Lindsay Loyer and husband Brian of Sherrills Ford, great-grandson Tyler Loyer of Sherrills Ford, brother Shocky Gosnell of Asheville, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at Friendship UMC in Newton on Saturday, January 25 from 1:30 to 2:45 PM in the Family Life Center. A celebration of life service will follow at 3:00 PM in the church sanctuary. A service of committal will be held Monday, January 27 at 1:00 PM at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Asheville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Friendship UMC or Adult Life Programs, 3390 Shepherd Road, Maiden, NC 28650.