Norma Grissom

One of five children, Norma Jean was born at Grady Hospital in Atlanta, GA January 1940, to James and Frances Parker. And, she was an identical twin to her sister Nancy Jane. Revered by so many, Norma was the epitome of a southern lady. She always had an open door and a can of her favorite bubbly, Coca Cola, ready for her family and friends. She raised 4 beautiful children, moved all over "hell's half acre," and worked "7 damn days a week." She was married twice; despite that, she was able to live out her golden years single and happy. As a mother, she was resourceful, brave, and a fierce advocate for her children - as demonstrated by her many stern letters to anyone "that needed to be corrected." She was enthusiastically proud of her children and always took the opportunity to sing their praises to friends and co-workers.

Norma of course never met a stranger, always happily chatting with anyone who would listen and offering the shirt off her back for anyone who needed it. She was the original Airbnb. Her Marietta home oftentimes became a place of refuge for teenagers, young adults, and fellow single moms. She was a warm and giving provider to all - often demonstrating her generosity in the form of chocolate (usually Reese's Peanut Butter Cups), the best southern potato salad to ever touch one's lips, and an absolutely delicious Luscious Chocolate Pie. Her sweet iced tea was unmatched; people have tried to get that perfect balance of sugar to tea that she effortlessly created, but no one has come close.

Norma was an accomplished woman. While she didn't earn a college degree, she did attend some college and maintained a 4.0 GPA. She accepted various part-time positions over the years, as she was raising her kids. And in the mid-80s, she landed a full-time position at Rosser International Architectural and Engineering Firm in Atlanta - the company responsible for such landmarks as Turner Field and the Georgia Dome. After many years of dedication, she retired from there in 2015. She was always an avid tennis player and won several championships with her ALTA team in the Atlanta area. In 2013, she even dipped her toe in film production, and became one of the Executive Producers for the documentary film Oxyana - which went on to win 2 top prizes at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival. She absolutely loved to play games, especially card games. She was equally adept at Poker, Rummy, Hearts, and Bridge. If there was a deck of cards with numbers and faces on it, you could bet that she would make a game of it. Her Friday night Bridge games were legendary. These were the parties where she often served her famous Sock-it-to-Me Cake.

Making sure she always looked her best, Norma never left her house without at least some lipstick. Like never. There was always lipstick. Even if she just had to run up to the Winn-Dixie to pick up some more Coke, she applied lipstick before stepping foot outside. Going through her purses, you could always find a bunch of napkins covered in blotted lipstick and the sweet smell of Emeraude perfume.

Always a rule follower, but a rebel at heart, she lived her life with integrity and subsequently instilled those same values in her children. Her passions were simple - her children, her grandchildren, Cheetos, Coke, napkins, tennis, the Atlanta Braves, and singing. She absolutely loved to sing. In her youth, she sang with her sisters in church, in school, and at the roller skating rink. As they grew older, the Parker sisters famously serenaded the family at every Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, birthday, bar be que...basically, they were harmonizing at any and all gatherings. [Think Sweeney Sisters from Saturday Night Live.] And in everyday ordinary situations, Norma would manage to weave in a song - Hey mom, what time do you get off work today? "Working 9 to 5, what a way to make a livin'. Barely gettin' by..."

Norma Grissom was preceded in death by her second husband Ronald Bryska and her son Craig Grissom. Norma leaves behind her children Vicki (Chris) Magnon, Mark (Cyndi) Grissom, Kathy (Martin) Gatto, and her 6 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

She was laid to rest on Thursday, November 16th, 2023 at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in College Park, GA.

She will live forever in our hearts.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestlawnfuneralhomemg.com for the Grissom family.