Born July 31, 1926 in Dixon Springs, TN, Alma was the daughter of the late George W. and Zee Allen. She was a graduate of Smith County High School and Troy State Teacher’s College, now Troy University. After graduation, she taught junior high English in Montgomery, AL before moving to Nashville where she worked for the State Board of Contractors. She then served as the administrative assistant to Senator Albert Gore, Sr., working in both Carthage and Washington, DC. She then served as the assistant to Vanderbilt University Chancellor Harvie Branscomb before devoting herself full-time to her family.
On June 3, 1953, Alma married Dr. Herman A. Norton of Deltaville, VA. Dr. Norton was a Vanderbilt University professor, dean, and an Army Chaplain, serving in the Pacific Theater during WWII and continuing in the Army Reserves rising to the rank of Brigadier General. They met while he was serving as the pastor at Carthage Christian Church. They were married for 39 years until his death on July 17, 1992.
Alma is also preceded in death by her sister, Clara, and three brothers: Webb, Billy and John Howard, brother-in-law Alvin Norton and sister-in-law Helen Norton Haley (who passed away on November 21). She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Virginia N. Rodgers (Robert) of Chattanooga, and her son, Steve Norton (Kelly) of Nashville; four grandchildren, Helen Rodgers (Chris), Katherine Rodgers (Dillon), Sara Norton and Abby Norton; brother David Allen of Oak Ridge, and sister-in-law Dale Allen of Lexington, KY along with many nieces and nephews. She very much loved her family.
Alma was a 50+ year faithful member of Woodmont Christian Church. She was an active member of the Disciples Sunday School Class, Christian Women’s Fellowship and a participant in the Morgan-Scott Outreach Project. Alma was most certainly grounded in her faith, and she genuinely possessed and exemplified the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. She was the definition of sincerity, honesty, quiet strength and servant leadership and was the consummate wife, mother, grandmother, sister, neighbor and friend. She enjoyed reading, working crossword puzzles, working in the yard, watching Jeopardy and sports, especially Vanderbilt athletics and the Atlanta Braves.
The Norton family is extremely grateful to Dr. Richard Garman for 35+ years of care. Also, to the staff, nurses and caregivers at Belmont Village for their care, compassion and attention, as well as to the nurses with Guardian Home Health & Hospice (Jennifer and Tammy) and, to Misty.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00, Tuesday, December 1, at Nashville National Cemetery with Dr. Roy Stauffer officiating.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Woodmont Christian Church, 3601 Hillsboro Road, Nashville, TN 37215.
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