Obituaries

Mrs. Grooms, 75, of Charlotte, NC, passed away Friday, December 18, 2009.  Born July 4, 1934 in Rock Hill, SC, Norma was the daughter of the late Blygh Crosby Johnson and Mary Elledge Johnson. She attended Hickory Tavern High School and was the President of the Beta Club, 4H Club and first string on the women’s basketball team. She graduated from Winthrop University, where she double majored in Biology and Zoology.  While at Winthrop she met and wed Fred Lester Grooms, who preceded her in death following a thirty-nine year marriage.  They moved to Charlotte where she attended Charlotte Memorial Hospital School of Medical Technology. During her career she taught biology and worked as a Medical Technologist until retiring from Mercy Hospital. 

Norma loved her work, her family, animals, and was a fabulous cook.  Her grandkids enjoyed making her laugh by teasing her with chocolate, which she also loved.  Anyone in her presence was immediately at ease, often noting Norma’s special sweetness.  Alzheimer’s took over her at the age of 65 but she never lost her sweet spirit, which was often noted by those attending her.  Even though she couldn’t communicate very well, you always knew that she was happy and enjoyed being with people.  She has taught us all what it means to be a loving and caring person.

Norma was preceded in death by her sister Sarah Baumberger of Hickory Tavern, SC. She is survived by three sisters, Loretta Blakely (Rudy) of Greenville, SC; Mary Bryant (Maxie) of Hickory Tavern, SC and Julia Daniel (Wayne) of Laurens, SC. She is survived by her daughter, Deborah Sylvia, husband Dean and two grandchildren, Kaitlin and Garrett of Houston, TX; and her son, Mark Grooms, wife Angela and granddaughter, Kaylie of Kill Devil Hills, NC. There are also numerous nieces and nephews.  Her good friends Mary and Johnny Clark were also very important in her life.

The Grooms family would like to thank the staff at Avante of Charlotte and Presbyterian Hospice for their loving and caring service of Norma.

A visitation is scheduled for Saturday, December 26, 2009 from 3:00 pm  - 5:00 pm at J.B. Tallent Funeral Service, 1937 N. Sharon Amity Road, Charlotte, NC.   A memorial  service will be held at Union Baptist Church, 536 Old Quaker Church Rd, Laurens, SC 29360 at 2:00 pm Sunday, December 27.

In lieu of followers the family suggests donations to The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.  The AFA may be reached at 866-232-8484 or www.alzfdn.org.