Vicki Ann Draughn Norman, age 76, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family at Moses Cone Hospital following a severe stroke on April 4, 2024. A celebration of Vicki’s life will take place at First Baptist Church of Greensboro on May 11 at 1pm with a visitation following the service.
Vicki was born on October 20, 1947 to the late Kelly Ray Draughn and the late Vena Callie White Draughn of Dobson, NC. After graduating as the salutatorian from Surry Central High School, Vicki attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she attained a Master’s degree in English. In 1969, Vicki married her beloved husband, Joe, and they began their life together in Jamestown, NC. Vicki’s first career was as an English teacher at Ragsdale High School. After starting a family, Vicki took time away from teaching and helped develop and found the preschool at her then-church, First Baptist Church of Jamestown, NC, where she served as its director for several years. She also served her church faithfully in many roles including as a deacon and most joyfully as a member of the choir where she shared her beautiful voice. As her boys entered elementary school, Vicki returned to the classroom to teach English at Southeast Guilford High School for several years. Vicki loved teaching and her students, but her heart’s direction led to a career change following her father’s painful journey through Alzheimer’s. During this time, Vicki returned to UNCG, where in the evenings she earned a post-baccalaureate certificate in Gerontology. Vicki then worked as a bereavement coordinator for families for Hospice in High Point. Vicki’s tender empathy and compassion comforted many over the next ten years as they faced the loss of loved ones. Next, Vicki served as the family services coordinator of Twin Lakes Community in Burlington. Vicki helped with the design of a new memory care facility which focused on caring for patients facing dementia and helped residents to retain their dignity at each stage of the process. Vicki also greatly enjoyed her role and friendships made as the director of the choir at Twin Lakes. After slowly reducing her workload near the end of her 17 years at Twin Lakes, Vicki retired in 2015.
While balancing a meaningful career, Vicki was a devoted spouse, mother, grandmother (“VieVie”), sister and friend. Vicki and Joe recently celebrated their 55th Anniversary and looked back with pride and happiness on their successful life together. They also shared hopeful expectations for a future filled with as much time as possible with their beloved grandchildren. While Vicki loved being a mom at all stages of her sons’ lives, VieVie absolutely cherished every moment with her grandchildren Thomas, Miller, Edie, Emme, Clara and Hank. She delighted in discovering their distinct personalities and fiercely loved each of them. Nothing excited Vicki more than family gatherings, especially those with her siblings and extended family. She was quick to share the joy she took from those moments with her many friends far and wide, including her book club in Jamestown. While Vicki’s heart had limitations developed from childhood rheumatic fever, it was boundless in its capacity for service of others and love of family and friends.
Vicki is survived by her faithful and loving husband, Joe. Joe truly admired Vicki and remains grateful for the privilege of sharing a life with his best friend for so many years. Cherishing her memory also are her sons and daughters-in-law Joe and Kelly of Augusta, GA, and Ben and Melissa of Greensboro; grandchildren Thomas, Edie, Clara, Miller, Emme and Hank; siblings and their spouses Joy and Felix Freeman of Roanoke, VA, Lisha and Greg High of Dobson, NC, Robert and Dana Draughn of Dobson, NC, Lori and Charles Finch of Archdale, NC, brother-in-law Ronnie Cockerham of Dobson, NC, sisters-in-law Joyce Hamby of Elkin, NC and Robin Norman of Mountain Park, NC; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins and extended family. Vicki’s sister Terri recently passed and all are comforted by their reunion in heaven.
Vicki’s family wishes to thank all of those who have shared their support and love during this difficult time, especially their church family and pastors at First Baptist Church of Greensboro. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations be made to INSPIRO: The Triad Youth Choir (accessible at triadyouthchoir.org/give).
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