Norman Bryant Kellum Jr.

Norman Bryant Kellum, Jr., passed away peacefully at his home on May 11, 2026, at the age of 88, surrounded by the family he loved so deeply. Though he lived a life marked by professional distinction, civic leadership, and countless accolades, those who knew him best understood that his proudest role was never attorney, veteran, philanthropist, or community leader. It was husband, father, and grandfather. He said, “Of all God’s blessings to any man or woman, nothing surpasses love for family,” and no words better captured the way he lived his life.

Born on August 12, 1937, in Maysville, North Carolina, Norman was the first son and second child of Norman Bryant Kellum, Sr. and Dollie Mallard Kellum. His upbringing was humble, rooted in hard work, faith, and resilience. In 1939, the family moved to New Bern, where his father worked as Superintendent of Thomason Plywood Mill. The family lived modestly in the upstairs apartment of a home located where Tryon Palace now stands today. Even as a young boy, Norman possessed the gift that would define so much of his life: the ability to connect with people. Friendships formed during those early years in downtown New Bern would last a lifetime.

After a brief move to South Carolina, the Kellum family returned permanently to New Bern in 1951, where his father founded the N.B. Kellum Logging Company. Norman spent his high school and college summers working in the log woods, where days began before sunrise and ended after long hours in brutal heat and exhausting conditions. He often said it was there, deep in the woods beside hardworking men, that he learned the discipline, grit, and determination that carried him throughout his life. Those difficult days instilled not only a remarkable work ethic, but also a deep respect for those who labored tirelessly to provide for their families. That understanding would later shape the compassionate advocate he became in the courtroom.

Norman graduated from New Bern High School in 1955, where he excelled both academically and socially. He served as Student Body President, sang in the A Cappella Choir, played football and baseball, attended Boys State, and was voted “Most Popular” by his senior class. Yet despite his many accomplishments, he remained grounded and fiercely loyal to the friendships and community that helped shape him. Decades later, when New Bern High School football teams won state championships, Norman and Kellum Law Firm ensured that players received championship rings to commemorate their achievements—an act that reflected both his generosity and enduring love for his alma mater.

After high school, Norman attended Wake Forest College, now University, beginning his studies while the college was still located in the town of Wake Forest. His love for Wake Forest would become one of the great lifelong passions of his life. At Wake, he joined Kappa Alpha Order and participated in ROTC, earning a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve. Upon graduating, Norman began active duty military service in the United States Army. He served with the famed 101st Airborne Division before later completing Army Intelligence School in Baltimore. The discipline, courage, and leadership demanded by military service became permanent hallmarks of his character. Though he rarely sought recognition for his service, he carried immense pride in having served his country.

Following active duty, Norman worked selling Bibles and dictionaries door-to-door for the Southwestern Company to put himself through law school debt-free. That journey—from the log woods to military service to law school—was one built entirely through perseverance, sacrifice, and determination. Nothing was handed to him, and he never forgot where he came from. After graduating from Wake Forest law school and passing the North Carolina Bar, Norman clerked for two North Carolina Supreme Court justices before returning home to New Bern to begin practicing law. In 1968, he formed the partnership that would eventually become Kellum Law Firm, dedicating more than sixty years to the legal profession.

For over three decades, Norman established himself as one of the most respected trial attorneys in North Carolina. He possessed a rare ability to take the most complicated legal issues and explain them with clarity and humanity so that anyone in the courtroom could understand. Colleagues often remarked that he was among the finest trial lawyers they had ever witnessed. Throughout his career, Norman received numerous honors recognizing his excellence and leadership within the legal profession. He was recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in America, named a North Carolina Super Lawyer, honored among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the American Trial Lawyers Association, served as President of the American Board of Trial Advocates for Eastern North Carolina, and served as President of the Eastern North Carolina Inn of Court. He also received the prestigious AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, reflecting the highest level of professional excellence and ethical standards as judged by his peers.

Yet, what truly distinguished Norman was not simply his skill, but his compassion. He believed deeply that the law existed to protect people. He fought tirelessly for clients who often felt voiceless, overlooked, or overwhelmed. Whether representing the injured, the accused, or the vulnerable, he approached each case with fierce advocacy, meticulous preparation, unwavering integrity, and genuine empathy. At Kellum Law Firm, he trademarked the phrase, “We’re with you all the way,” a commitment that reflected not only the philosophy of the firm, but the way Norman lived his life. Clients were never merely cases to him; they were people deserving dignity, respect, and someone willing to stand beside them.

But, his professional accomplishments alone never defined him. In 1967, on a blind date arranged by dear friends John and Karen Mason, Norman met the love of his life, Ruth Taylor. What began with a simple introduction blossomed into a remarkable marriage that would span fifty-seven years and become the foundation of his greatest joys. Together they built a home filled with love, laughter, faith, storytelling, and a devotion to family. To the community, Norman was an accomplished attorney, philanthropist, church deacon, and civic leader. To his daughters, however, he was simply Dad. He was the father who bandaged scraped knees, taught them to drive, tossed them into the ocean waves, helped with homework, explained the traditions of ACC basketball and football, introduced them to beach music, and hugged them tightly during life’s hardest moments.

His role as grandfather also brought him immeasurable joy. His granddaughters were among the greatest blessings of his life, and he cherished every moment spent with them. The lessons he taught, the stories he shared, and the love he gave will remain with them forever.

Norman’s commitment to serving others extended far beyond the courtroom. He served for more than twenty years on the Board of Directors of CarolinaEast Health System and later as Chairman. During his leadership, CarolinaEast partnered with UNC Health Care and the Lineberger Cancer Center to bring advanced cancer treatment options to eastern North Carolina. Few accomplishments brought him greater satisfaction than helping ensure families in his community could receive life-saving care closer to home.

His devotion to Wake Forest University remained steadfast throughout his life. He gave generously of both his time and resources to the university and especially to Wake Forest Law School. Scholarships bearing his name continue to support future generations of students, and the men’s locker room in the Jesse Haddock Golf House stands as a tribute to his enduring loyalty and generosity. In 1993, Wake Forest Law School honored Norman with its Alumni Award for Outstanding Service to the University and the Legal Profession. In 2014, Wake Forest University presented him with its Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of his “demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and proven work ethic by dedicating much of his career to being a community champion of education, health care, legal professional development, and the armed services.”

Those honors reflected the impact of his life, but his true legacy cannot be measured by awards, titles, or accolades. His legacy lives in the people he loved, the lives he changed, the young attorneys he mentored, the clients he defended, the community he strengthened, and the family he cherished above all else. Norman embodied humility, perseverance, generosity, patriotism, integrity, and faith. He proved that greatness is not found in power or recognition, but in service to others and steadfast devotion to family. From humble beginnings in eastern North Carolina, through military service, the courtroom, civic leadership, and fatherhood, he built a life defined not by what he gained, but by what he gave away.

Norman is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Ruth Taylor Kellum; daughters Beth Spano (Dan) and Catherine Keenhold (Craig); granddaughters Matteson Keenhold, Kate Keenhold, and Sophia Spano; and a large extended family of loved ones, nieces, nephews, and dear lifelong friends.

Though his passing leaves an immeasurable void, the example he set and the love he poured into others will continue for generations. His was a life fully lived, deeply meaningful, and extraordinarily well loved.

A funeral service with military honors will be held on Friday, May 15, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 239 Middle Street, New Bern, NC 28560. A private interment at Greenleaf Memorial Park will be held at a later date.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to the CarolinaEast Foundation, 2007B Neuse Blvd., New Bern, NC 28560.

Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the family and friends of Norman Bryant Kellum, Jr.