Norma Jean Person, age 84, of Roda Virginia passed away peacefully on November 18th, 2025 at Bristol Regional Medical Center.
Born in Big Stone Gap on December 29, 1940 to Chester and Virgie Spears, she attended Big Stone Gap High School and graduated from the newly combined Powell Valley High School. Cheering on 3rd baseman Justin Turner, watching the LA Dodgers, and jigsaw puzzles filled her days with delight, but her heart’s greatest joy was always her family and the gift of being their mother and nanny.
Norma Jean is survived by her husband of 65 years, Bill Person and their children, Kay Person Cantrell (Shelton), Morris “Bo” Person, and Jessica Burke (Brandon); her grandchildren, Jared Person, Megan Fleming Gibson, Jeffrey “Chip” Anderson, Rachel Person, Maddie Person, Gavin Person, Dalton Burke, and Delaney Burke, and great grandchildren, Devin Person, Blakely Gibson, Caleb Anderson, Piper Anderson, and Silas Gibson. She is also survived by her dear friend, Lila Johnson and brothers, “Cobb” Spears and Sammy Spears.
Norma will be remembered for her strength, her loving spirit as a mother, her quick wit, her unwavering honesty, and her open home to all.
A celebration of life will take place at Gilliam Funeral Home, 618 Wood Ave., W, Big Stone Gap on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 5:00p.m.-7:00p.m. followed by a service with Reverend Johnny Flanary and Lowell “Cotton” Gardner officiating, with music by Sandy Flanary.
A graveside service will follow on Saturday November 22, 2025 at Riverview Cemetery at 11:00 am. The family and friends will meet at the funeral home by 10:20am.
Friends and family will serve as pallbearers.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Person family.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.