James Leon Norman | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Sadly, we share the passing of James Leon Norman, on May 16, 2022, at his home with his wife and daughter at his bedside. Leon was born on October 4th, 1958, to the late Jamie Leans Norman and the late Carrie Louise Tyson Norman. He was active in baseball while he attended Washington High School.

    Leon and his wife owned and operated Norman's Auto & Marine and 24-Hour Wrecker service. Working by his side at the shop was his son Robert Norman (Misty) of Bath. There, father taught son to be a skilled mechanic and earn his living. Leon ran the twenty-four-hour wrecker service in the Beaufort County community as well as for the NC State Highway Patrol rotation, through the heat and rain, day and night, making wonderful and lasting friendships with many people. He always went above and beyond to provide many extras for all of his family, his wife, and his children.

    In 1985 he married Lori Brickhouse Norman of Bath and they spent 37 blessed years together. Together, they have a daughter who survives, Ashleigh Mari Norman Shadid (Mohammed) of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

    He is survived by his sisters, Linda Gail Massie and Judy Norman Toler (Dalton), both of Washington and a large, extended circle of family and friends. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Sherry McKenzie (Max) of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

    Leon was predeceased by his parents, his in laws, Samuel and Cynthia Brickhouse, his brother-in-law, Wallace Massie, his niece, Tammy Carrow, and his best friend and brother, Samuel (Buddy) Brickhouse III.

    Leon spent many years in the Bath Volunteer Fire Department and was always available for helping friends and those in the community. He was a member of Bath Christian Church, where he was baptized in salvation by his wonderful, treasured friend, Pastor Curtis White.

    Services will be as follows:

    Visitation will be on Tuesday May 17th 2022, at Joseph B. Paul Funeral Home in Washington from 6:00pm-8:00pm

    Funeral Service will be Wednesday May 18th 2022 at Joseph B. Paul Funeral Home Chapel in Washington at 11:00am

    Graveside Services will follow at Pamlico Memorial Gardens

    Pastor Jim Cullen will officiate services.

    Pall Bearers will be Chris Toler, Sam Brickhouse, Shay Brickhouse, all nephews of Leon; Jay Morgan III, Michael Smiley, and Gary Buck. Honorary Pall Bearers are Tommy Respass, Robert Respass, Jay Morgan, Mark Woolard, Lee Manning, Kevin Hazelwood, Ricky Perry, Roger Winstead, Earl Shavender, and Jack Smiley. Also serving as honorary pall bearers will be members of the the Bath Volunteer Fire Department and the NC State Highway Patrol.

    A special thank you to those who helped us keep Leon home for his care, our friends and family, Nancy Brickhouse, Melinda Hazelwood, Pam Cox, and Amedisus Hospice Nurse Philetta Holland.

    As a family, we are deeply humbled and grateful to each for their help, love, and prayers.