Norma Baxter Brown

Norma G. Baxter Brown, 90, recently of New Bern, North Carolina and formerly of Fairfax, Virginia and Nashville, Tennessee passed away at her daughter Christienne Lawyer's home surrounded by her family on Monday, August 19, 2024. Norma was born on March 6, 1934 in Birmingham, Alabama to Julian Baxter and Francis Gertrude Jackson Baxter.

Norma was known for many things, including her acceptance of many different kinds and walks of life. She made friends in any group or subgroup you could think of, no one was ever excluded. She was so loved by the many people she stopped a while with. Among her most cherished friends were those in her garden chats. She became active immediately at the onset of the web and AOL, with friends to this day of over 30 years. She was a skilled Master Gardener and was also known for her neighborhood garden where all passersby were welcome to enjoy a few moments in nature. She complained mightily that people would often pick blooms, but we know she was very garden proud of that as well.

Norma was also known for her humor, always witty and sometimes irreverent. She was brought up a Christian and a real believer, but this never stopped her from some worldly observations that made us all young and old, break up in laughter. We all loved her for this, her comedic timing was impeccable and she laughed hard when delivering her gems. She could deliver a punchline, a gift she shared with her dear brother Jerry.

She was an excellent seamstress and she got that talent from her mother along with some singing and piano skills. She was in local pageants in her youth and was known my many to be the prettiest girl in school. She had a lifelong interest in collecting antiques and loved her rescued animals, of which there were many over the years.

In addition to all of her many interests and talents, she was an honored matriarch in the true sense and this philosophy carries down through the generations. You can see her clearly in every single adult and child in the family. We are a strong people, with passion in our bones and deeply held convictions, loud and heated and we don’t back down. For this, we love and admire her and feel ourselves lucky to have had such a spirited leader along with our Uncle Jerry.

Her life with her devoted husband Dave was filled with dancing, concerts, music and arts, hiking to find native flowers, a large group of friends and also the quiet life. Until the end, he stayed by her side and was known to sneak Popeyes chicken into her room.

Thankful for her life and continuing in her memory are these her beloved people. Her Husband of 45 years David Brown, Daughters Chris Lawyer (Albert), Adrienne Hickman, Fabienne Laveau, Grandchildren Kyla Arroyo (Carlos), Nikki Rogers (James), Lindsey Grubbs, Angel Pierson (Jordan), Jilly Baker, Peytan Baker, Great Grandchildren Logen Rogers, Luke Rogers, Grayson Rogers, Jameson Rogers, Olivia Grubbs, Lillian Grubbs, Isabella Arroyo, Alex Arroyo, Joshua Arroyo, Mack Pierson and Madden Pierson, Sisters In Law Mitzi Bishop, Kathy Calvert, Susan Grove-Ka, Nephews Julian Baxter, Timothy Baxter, Niece Leslie Baxter and Grand Niece Abagail Fulgham.

She predeceased by her Parents Gertrude Baxter and Julian Baxter Sr, her Brother Julian Baxter (Jerry) Jr. and her Grandson Bryant Hardison.

Gratitude: We would like to thank all of the hospice workers and caretakers who guided us through this journey with our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Aunt and Wife. We are so blessed to have received the opportunity to care for her round the clock between our many family members, with their capable assistance. Some gave some, some gave more and some gave all and we are eternally grateful. We would also like to thank neighbors and friends, some who never knew her by giving us food sustenance and encouragement throughout the way. Special thanks to family friends who left their busy lives to assist with the mundane chores of household life. It allowed us support our cherished Norma in a family home, as was always her deepest wish. We thank those who Facetimed, texted and called to shine a little light into our days. We want to mention the maturity and grace that even the smallest child in our family showed during this time, as we know it was a lot for teenage and small shoulders to take on. We owe thanks to so many and it will never be forgotten.

Thanks always from our family.

Online condolences can be made to www.cottenfuneralhome.com.