We are blessed to have known Norman for 30 years. He was an incredible man and we will miss him. Our prayers are with you Leona.

RIP
Norman, for the better part of my life, was like my father. I did not have to say it, we all knew it. While I know I met him earlier, it was during the summer of my Freshman year in high school when I started dating Ann that I immediately felt the presence of this man with a voice that could fill any room.  I was somewhat intimidated but knew we had to establish some kind of relationship if I wanted to date his daughter.  In the back of my mind I always thought he might come after me with a shot  gun. While we did not always agree on everything, I always had tremendous respect for Norman. I admire how he lived his life and the things he accomplished.

He taught by example and exemplified the best of Creole culture. When I think back there are so many things that he taught me, little and big things, from whatever handy-man skills I have to self-respect. He taught us that there did not have to be a contradiction in doing things your way  while honoring traditions and rules; between growing and changing while deepening your values; between being firm and having a huge heart and enjoying life. He made his expectations of you clear and when we did not live up to them he forgave us. But we still knew the expectations were there. We all benefited from his wisdom and experienced his love. I cherish the time that he and Leona traveled across the country to be with us when I received a special honor.

Toward the end of his life when his memory was failing him, I secretly felt great pride that he remembered my name. While I can not fully express what Norman meant to me I would like to express my gratitude for the love and the caring he gave to me, my family and the rest of the world.  There will never be another Norman Lemelle. We can all rejoice that he is together with the rest of his family, and his Lord. Together with my son Rafael, who loves him so much.  May he continue to place his firm hand upon us and guide us on our journey.

Strength, Love & Family
Other than my own father, there is probably no other man who has influenced my life and helped guide me to be a better person than Uncle Norman.   He was one tough man who was a straight-talker but he had a big, loving heart.

I have so many fond memories.  I recall the beautiful, manicured dicondra (spelling?) lawn he always had at the Radway Street house in La Puente.  As children, we would look around to see if he was watching before we would tread upon his beautiful grass.  If he caught us, he'd yell to get off the grass. He really scared me as a kid but I knew his bark was louder than his bite.  I'd love to hear him yell at me again today.

When I was a teenager, my dad and Uncle Norman owned apartment buildings in a poor section of Los Angeles.  They "hired" their sons to work at these properties each weekend.  I put quotes around the word hired because we didn't really have a choice.  But they taught us how to work hard for what you want and to face challenges head-on without backing down.  They were two strong men who gave their lives for their families.

Uncle Norman was never the type to hold his tongue.  He has "helped" me and other nephews when we needed a good talking to about our responsibilities to our family.  He was not afraid to speak the truth whether we wanted to hear it or not.  He was a father-figure to me, all my brothers and many other nephews and nieces.

I'll never forget how he and Aunt Leona would make the long drive every weekend from Sun City to Azusa to visit my father when he was in an assisted living home.  They continued doing that drive each weekend for the 18 months my father was there.

Uncle Norman was my "Go to" guy when things got rough in life.  He always had time for me and would tell me the truth about the situation whether I wanted to hear it or not.  After both of my parents passed on, I considered Norman and Leona Mae to be my dad and mom because they have the exact same qualities that I saw in my parents: Strength, Love and Family.

I try to honor my parents and my wonderful Uncle Norman and Aunt Leona Mae by living a similar way by being there for family, friends, and the community.   I will always love and respect my Uncle Norman.

My Dad's (Clayton) Brother - Uncle Norman
It is difficult to write about Uncle Norman. It is surreal to think that I won't hear his teasing about one of the cousins, nieces, nephews or his children.  I can say he was a joy to be around.  I know my dad Clayton loved talking to his brother and their conversations were long and loud.  Once they moved to Sun City, the discussions by phone were endless.  I think my dad and Uncle Norman are both hard of hearing because you could hear my dad on the other end of the house and you could hear Uncle Norman's voice through the phone.

My fondest memories were our camping trips, which I secretly hated - no electricity, sleeping on rocks, showers and toilets shared and down the road from our campsite - awful but fun after getting over the intial shock of "no comfort" in the woods, lake or wherever we pitched the tent.  Another memory was digging for crawfish, don't remember where, but remembered it was dirty and disgusting but the eating was good.

Thank God I was not brought up on a farm like the Lemelle clan from Leonville and they had the sense to move to California.  Really, I am grateful that most of them moved to the San Gabriel Valley or we wouldn't known each other as well or have some memories to share.

My prayers are with you Lemelle Family and spiritually I am by your side. I am in New York on business from Dec. 3rd to 9th and unable to be there.  Please be in touch with my dad because it may be difficult for him to attend.  He really shouldn't be driving (don't tell him I said that) and mom is weak. Aging sucks.   Hopefully, my brother Thad is not traveling for his work and that my sister Sheila is not called on a dental emergency.

May Uncle Norman rest in paradise with all our relatives that are waiting for him to welcome him to his eternal home.  I love you all.

Marie

OBITUARY

Norman Lemelle

January 23, 1928 – November 26, 2015

Miller Jones Mortuary and Crematory

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