Norma Braden

Norma Rowena Wright Braden died peacefully on Thursday, October 13, 2011. She was born on August 11, 1925, in Jonesville, Louisiana, the third daughter of a family of six. She attended Louisiana State University where in 1942, she met Earl M. Braden at a serviceman's dance. They were married on June 20, 1948. She worked in the dietary service of St. Vincent's Hospital and the American Red Cross in Birmingham, Alabama, and in 1977, became Child Nutrition Director at the Alabama School of Fine Arts. Four of her employees there, Lena, Christine, Olivia and Eula, became her devoted friends. She retired in 1990, after which time the dining hall was named in her honor. She was an active member of St. John's United Methodist Church, where she and her husband were charter members. She was a volunteer with Meals on Wheels and a member of the church's AIDS Care Team. Indeed, caring for others was her life-long joy. For the past two years, she resided at Regency Retirement Village with her son Michael; the staff and residents never failed to express their love and also feel the grief in her passing. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Braden. She is survived by her sister, Myrtis Wright Thornton; her children, Gibby Braden Seals, Michael Braden, and Bruce (Carol) Braden; grandchildren, Amanda Kay Seals (Austin) Bersinger, Jackson Seals, Mack Braden and Brick Braden, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 19, at 11:00AM from Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 5:00PM - 7:00PM. Jefferson Memorial Trussville directing.