Norma Reid

Norma Payton Reid (nèe Norma Odessa Lee Payton) was a pioneer. She moved from Statesboro, Georgia to Santa Monica, California in April of 1953, traveling across the country by train with her two sons, Eric and Juan, ages 5 and 2, and infant daughter, Joette. Accompanied by her grandfather, Hezekiah Gross, she left the home in Statesboro she adored to make a new life with her husband, Dr. Theodore Jesse Reid, Jr. Another daughter, Julie, was added to the family 3 years after they moved to California.

Norma was born in her maternal grandparents’ home on April 17, 1924 in Screven, Georgia. Her father, Jerry Payton, was a professional cook who worked in the cafeteria at a bank in Atlanta; her mother, Joann Gross, was a maid. Norma was raised in the Christian faith beginning at Charlestown United Methodist Church, where Mama Gross’ father, Israel Lambert, was sexton, and her grandfather, Hezekiah Gross, was a deacon.

She attended grade school in Statesboro until she was 12 years old, when her mother remarried and moved the family to Savannah. Norma met her future husband, T.J., when she was 12 years old and he was 15 years old. They were high school sweethearts at Cuyler Beach High School in Savannah, and both graduating in 1940. Norma then continued her education in Atlanta, Georgia where she attended Spelman College, and graduated in 1944. T.J. and Norma were joined in marriage on November 4, 1945, in her parents’ home, 4 days after he returned home from India, where he served in the Army

during World War II.

Norma was a very active member of First African Methodist Episcopal Church by the Sea in Santa Monica where she was a church trustee. She worked over 40 years in the Delta Sigma Theta HeadStart Preschool program, as a Child Development Supervisor training teachers in the Los Angeles district. Throughout her career at HeadStart she was a member of both the California Association for the Education of Young Children (CAEYC), and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Norma was an active member of the Spelman College Alumni Association (NAASC), working tirelessly to raise scholarship money for the college – she was the oldest living graduate until her death. She was also an active member of the Angel City Dental Auxiliary and Alva C. Garrott Dental Wives Societies, a loyal member of the Chums, Incorporated Los Angeles Chapter; and a member of the social clubs, Les Uniques and The Emanon Club.

Norma is survived by her sister Geraldine Payton, her children: Eric Reid, Joette Reid Marks (Michael) and Julie Reid Ware (Bernard); grandchildren: Ericka Griffin, Ayo Griffin, Shelley Griffin, Matthew Ware, and Aaron Ware; and great-grandchildren: Jaiden Ware and Rylee Ware; nephews: Rudolph Payton (Sharon) and Victor Payton (Gwen); numerous grand-nephews and grand-nieces: Waldo Emerson Whatley III (JePaul), Jerusha Jacobs (Mark), Maywan Whatley Fynaardt (Nate), Maylynn Whatley Ortega (James), Mallory Whatley, Khary Payton (Stacy), Kurlen Payton (Laura), Kurtis Payton (Amanda) and Kalere Payton; and great-grand nephews and great-grand nieces: Waldo Emerson Whatley IV, Kelsey Whatley, Riley Ortega, and Ella Ortega.