Norma J. Harris-Watkins

Calling hours (10 people at a time) Friday,July 24, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Chapel of White's Funeral and Cremation Services. 

Norma “Nonie” Jean Harris-Watkins, age 86 went home to be with our Lord and Savior on July 18, 2020, at her residence in Columbus, Ohio. She fought a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Norma Jean Harris-Watkins affectionately known as “Nonie,” was born January 14, 1934 to the marriage of James F. Harris of North Carolina and Evelyn E. Harris of Columbus, Ohio. She was the first child of two within this union.

Norma was educated in the Columbus Public Schools and graduated from Central High School. She was very intelligent and had an analytical, statistical and strategic mind. Norma was very strong willed, determined, dedicated and devoted.  She was excellent at setting goals, mapping plans and creating back up plans to ensure success. She would consider every possible outcome before implementing any idea.

Norma retired after 47 years of dedicated and invaluable service with the United States Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency. She was an excellent supervisor and went above and beyond to acknowledge the success of her staff and co-workers. She and her co-workers received numerous honors, awards, certifications and accolades during her tenure.

Norma was a woman of unyielding faith in God. She grew up attending Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio. She joined Christ Memorial Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio and never left. Under the leadership of Pastor, Shedrick L. Fowler, Norma flourished because she was able to use her God given talents and expertise in strategic financial planning, goal setting, fund raising and organizing. As the Director of the New Vision Ministry, Norma was a part of the team responsible for such fundraising initiatives as the Tree of Faith and Perpetual Giving.

She organized many successful events that assisted the church in meeting the goals set by Pastor, Shedrick L. Fowler. To God be the glory for their accomplishments.

Norma married William (Bill) Watkins over 50 years ago. Although they didn’t have any children together, they helped raise their nieces and nephews. William (Bill) has been a devoted husband for many years. He was very diligent and insistent on keeping his vow to care for Norma until her death.

Norma is preceded in death by her father, James F. Harris, sister, Muriel Lewis-Barnes, step-brother, James Victor “Vickie” Harris and Lester Pierce, aunts, Ruth (Barber) Philpott and Mildred Hopkins, uncle, Samuel “Sammy” W. Hopkins Sr., cousins, Marcella Allen, Anna Kimble, Betty Fain, Ruby Lewis, Thomas Broady Jr., Gerald Broady Sr., William G. Barber Jr., Virgil C. and Ronald Rhea, She is survived by her mother, Evelyn E. Harris, devoted husband, William “Bill” R. Watkins, nieces, Michelle (Charles) McMillon, Tracey, Kelley, Cortney and Jennifer Barnes, nephews, Darvyn Lewis and Shawn Barnes, God niece, Delores Moore, great nieces, Cieara, Olivia and Alexia Barnes, Jazmine Whiteside, great nephews, Michael and Matthew Lewis, Spencer Hillman, Justin Williamson and Tre’ Pendergrass, step-sister, Sharon Hawkins, cousins, Estella Bass, Janet Shannon, Beverly Boyde,  Guy Arnold, Samuel Jr. (Peggy) Hopkins and William (Tracy) Hopkins, devoted cousin, Johnny Allen. Many special cousins, relatives and friends.

Arrangements by WHITE’S FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICES, 867 S. JAMES ROAD, COLS, OH  43227, BENJAMIN F. “BENNY” WHITE, JR, FUNERAL DIRECTOR, (614)947-1123, whitesfh867.com.  

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