Norma Jean Walker Obituary

Norma Jean (Via) Walker, 86 went home to be with the Lord on February 16, 2023 at LifeCare Center of Elizabethton, TN. Norma was soon followed to heaven by her beloved husband, Ralph Stanley Walker. The two had been married almost 43 years.

Norma was born in Elgood, WV on May 23, 1936 to the late Dorse and Sophia (Hazelwood) Via. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Euell Wade Boone, Jr., her siblings: Bobby Via, Wilmer Via, Loretta Posey and Joy Holdren, and her in-laws: Bee and E.W. Boone Sr., Nancy Jo Atkins and Howard Lea.

Norma grew up as a coal miner's daughter in West Virginia. She left at a young age and moved to Washington DC where she met and married her first husband Wade Boone. After they were married the couple managed different Howard Johnson motels along the east coast. They had one daughter, Diana Leigh. After her first husband's passing in 1963, Norma and her daughter moved to NC to be close to family. She enjoyed working at the Albert Pick Hotel and K&W Cafeteria over the years. In 1980 she met and then married Ralph Walker, and became step-mother to his children, Sylvia Walker and the late Phillip Walker of Holden Beach, NC. They moved to Summerfield, NC where she attended Summerfield First Baptist Church.

Always dressed in classic style, and ever the gracious hostess, Norma loved to cook for her family. She prepared the Christmas meal for the whole family every year and was a wonderful cook. Norma also loved coffee, antiques, cross stitch, crocheting and attending her family reunion each year in WV. Her favorite activity was spending time with her grandchildren. She was a beautiful woman, both inside and out.

Those she left to cherish her memory include her daughter Diana (Boone) Biller and husband Travis of Johnson City, TN, and her step-daughter Sylvia Walker of Greensboro, NC. In addition are her beloved grandchildren: Christina (Biller) Farmer and husband Daniel, Ryan Biller and wife Megan, April and Denton McGibbony, Scott and Tiffany Clark, Carter Walker, and McKenzie Walker and husband Alex Moehring. She is also survived by her 4 brothers: David Via and wife Ann, Bill Via and wife Shirley, Willard "Red" Via and James Via; along with many cherished great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

There will be a Celebration of Life for the lives of Norma and Ralph Walker on Saturday, May 20 ^th at 2:00 pm at Summerfield First Baptist Church in Summerfield, NC.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Gentiva Hospice of Bristol, TN.