Norma Ethel Goode Whitehead quietly passed from this life under a bright Full Flower Moon in the early hours of Thursday, May 7, 2020.
She was born in Alleghany County on Thursday, August 9, 1923. She lived here all her life, and spent all but nine of her ninety six years in Mount Pleasant, either on "this side" or "that side" of the Jackson River.
She was the youngest surviving child of the late John Kenneth Goode, Sr. and LuVena Cook Goode. She was predeceased by eight brothers and sisters.
She was also predeceased by her husband, Ralph F. Whitehead, Sr. (1961); sons, Ralph F. Whitehead, Jr. (1983) and Roger W. Whitehead, Sr. (2018) and a great grandchild, Maddox Zamana.
She is survived by a son, Randal K. Whitehead (Susan); daughters-in-law, Georgette Nicely and Marilyn Whitehead; grandchildren, Charity (Greg), Roger, Sr. (Wendy), Natalie (A.J.), Candice (Bill), Travis (Heather) and Morgan. She also leaves behind eleven great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren as well as a special cousin, Betty Jean Kern.
Her family is so proud of her. Norma was the only person in the Goode family to graduate from high school achieving the status of Salutatorian for the class of 1941 from Falling Spring School.
She went to work at the age of eighteen at the former Rayon plant, was literally a home-maker for a number of years as she finished building the home she and her husband began before he passed.
In 1970, she returned to the working world with grit, integrity and dedication at the former Covington Virginian newspaper where she was the circulation manager. In 2010, she finished her working career with the National Forestry Department at the age of eighty-seven.
She took flight lessons at the Low Moor airport in the early 1940's where she had her first solo flight after being "up in the plane" only five times. This was all prior to learning how to drive a car! At the age of eighty-eight, she fell and broke her leg bowling. Her main concern was if she had gotten a strike. She had!
She was an avid outdoors woman: gardening, mowing, swimming, fishing, and even hunting from time to time. She played fast pitch softball from 1935 until the mid 1960's. Norma was a member of numerous championship teams, and once accomplished an unassisted triple play while at the shortstop position.
Norma participated in a Hands On contest at Alleghany Chevrolet in which she won "half of a truck." Participants were to keep in constant contact with the vehicle with a short break every hour -- the last one holding on would be the winner of the truck. After several days, she and the other remaining contestant came to an agreement to remove their hands at the same time.
Norma never met a stranger; she made friends while standing in line at the grocery store, at a gas station, or anywhere she could joke with another person. To hear her talk, her proudest accomplishments came with the fact that she "raised three boys," instilling a solid work ethic, commitment, compassion, and an unending love for family.
She completed numerous business certifications from the Covington Business School, achieved a Business Management Degree and several business certificates from Dabney S. Lancaster Community College, graduating cum laude, all while working and nurturing her family.
Norma was of the Presbyterian faith, a member of McAllister Church where she was a member and leader of several circles and the church league softball team.
Due to the current epidemic situation, a graveside service will be conducted at Alleghany Memorial Park on Monday, May 11, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. with the Rev. Jim Moss officiating. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Disabled American Veterans Association.
Friends may their respects on Sunday afternoon at Loving Funeral Home from noon until 5:00 p.m.
Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home, www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.
