Jerry Ezell Norman

View Funeral Webcast  Jerry Ezell Norman, 80, resident of Columbia, passed away peacefully Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at NHC Maury Regional Transitional Care Center surrounded by his loving family and friends. Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 11:00 A.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Dawson and Rev. Rick Blevins officiating. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery with military honors provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 4:00 – 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Born August 17, 1938 in Maury County, he was the son of the late William Henry “W.H.” Norman and the late Mary Caroline Gibson Norman. He was a 1956 graduate of Columbia Central High School and served in the U. S. Army. While stationed in Fort Hood, Texas for two years, he formed a lifelong friendship with Comrade George McGeorge of Montrose, PA and the late Comrade Kenneth Knott of Salem, VA; and the military brothers have remained close through the years. Mr. Norman was a self-employed truck driver for many years prior to his employment and retirement from Conway Southern Express. He was an active member of First Family Baptist Church. In his spare time, Jerry enjoyed Bluegrass music, Atlanta Braves Baseball, fishing, spending time with family and friends and making everyone laugh. He is survived by his wife and soulmate of forty-one years, Allene Owen Norman of Columbia. Allene and Jerry were married December 30, 1977. Jerry is also survived by several nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law. He was preceded in death by his sister, Helon Duncan; and brother, Charles W. Norman. Active pallbearers will be Billy Walters, Bill Shelton, Clay Staley, Bill Owen, Ron Reagan, Loyd Witherspoon, and Tim Smith. Honorary pallbearers will include Ty Cobb, John Vacha, C.J. Frasier, Collins Small Group, Billy Kimbrough Small Group, Anthony Kimbrough Small Group, and Larry Wright Small Group. The family would like to express a special thank you to Ty Cobb, Tony Scott, Brian Hupp, and Bill Shelton for their unyielding love and support over the past several months. The family suggests memorials to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.