Norma Jean Williams

A funeral service for Mrs. Norma Jean Bailey Williams will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at Causeyville Baptist Church with Brother Mike Powell officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 10:45 a.m. prior to the funeral service. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.

The last old turkey hunting woman. Born on Bailey Hill in between Causeyville and Energy Mississippi. Though she was the last of seven siblings being brought up in hard times, she managed to thrive. After losing her mother at an early age, her father, Ollie Bailey, reared her as best he could. Being the last of seven siblings (and a girl at that), she received much accommodation from her father; he managed to get her out of a many of messes, avoiding harsh punishment that was customed of that day.

After losing her father at the age of 13, she was taken in by her older sister "the matriarch of the family," Louise Bailey Long. After moving to Georgia and adjusting to life on an Army base (Fort Benning) she settled in and soon became infatuated with a young "handsome" sergeant soon to be her husband. She married Charlie Williams Jr, often referred to as "Chuck," at the early age of 16 and was unaware of what the future would hold for the two of them. Soon, war broke out and he was sent to Germany. Many miles and days separated the two, but as fate would have it, they were reunited. After following her husband for 22 years and Chuck retiring from service, she decided to return home to her birthplace; the two, along with their only son, Charles Riddell Williams, purchased land from her older brother (the land that was promised to her upon her father's passing) and they began to build a small home. As news was spread of her return, some community members and neighbors had made the statement "the white military trash came home to roost." Little did they know that this would be a haunting statement. As their home building was under way, and to their "surprise," they had another child on the way. Not planned, but nevertheless.

Once the house was finished, she moved in with an additional son. Only a few short years passed and her husband Chuck was diagnosed with cancer. After his passing, she went to work for Lauderdale County. Her first years were at the juvenile center; she then moved over to the Hilltop Girls Home. She found much satisfaction mentoring and raising those abused girls. Retiring in the mid-90s, she spent much of her time with civic clubs, gardening groups (including becoming a master gardener), and cake baking/decorating.

"A spring fling" Her joy for spring's arrival, the forest coming alive, the plants awakening, and the renewal of everything in nature did not match her desire to chase the eastern wild turkeys up and down the hills of Clarke County. Many hours well spent, however, sometimes the only outcome was sore feet and cold barrels. But the chase, the interaction, was worth it all. She loved the pursuit no matter the outcome. Her last bird was taken near Kewanee MS, and as true to fashion, no decoys, no blind, only her, a call, and a 12ga.

She is survived by her son Thomas Williams (Sherri), granddaughters Kylie (Tyler) and Lindy (Zack), great grandsons William and Walker.

Norma Jean was a turkey hunter and as so fitting, her casket is toted by only turkey hunters.

Pallbearers are Darren Martin, Byron Moffett, Todd Riley, Monty Sellers, Kenny Sellers, Stevie Smith, and Don Marascalco.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.robertbarhamffh.com.