Roy Earl Norman

Roy Earl Norman, 83, of Catasauqua, PA, passed away on June 27, 2026, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg in Bethlehem, PA. He was born in Emporia, Virginia, on February 20, 1943, the son of the late Robert Norman and Mary Atkins.

Roy grew up in Emporia alongside his siblings: Dorothy Marie, Leroy, Robert Jr., Thelma, and Ethel. In 1965, he relocated to Allentown, PA, to start a new chapter.

A dedicated worker, Roy served as a lab assistant in the morgue at Allentown General Hospital for over a decade. He later worked as a welder and drill press operator for about seven years at Bethlehem Fabricators before enjoying his well-deserved retirement.

On June 10, 1978, Roy married the love of his life, Carol Jean Bennett. Together, they shared a beautiful and very happy life. Roy was a devoted father to his son, Todd Robert Norman, and his three daughters, Yolanda, Pamela, and Geneta. He was also a proud grandfather to Miata and Jerome and a blessed great-grandfather to five great-grandchildren.

Roy was a vibrant, busy man who loved visiting family, storytelling, and cracking jokes. As a dedicated family historian, he took great pride in keeping heritage alive. He enjoyed the simple pleasures of life—asking "Alexa" to play smooth jazz, fishing, camping, hiking, playing cards, and gathering around the table games. He also loved cooking up delicious, authentic Southern food. An avid sports fan, Roy rarely missed a boxing or MMA match, and he passionately cheered on his favorite teams, the Philadelphia Eagles and the 76ers.

Among his favorite memories were the two trips he took as a chaperone to the Dieruff High School Marine Science Academy with his son Todd, teachers, and classmates. Roy could surely tell you some unforgettable stories about those adventures, which took them across Arizona, Mexico, Washington, and Oregon.

Roy was our family’s great storyteller and historian.  He carried the voices of our ancestors in his memory and chased the footsteps across the states he visited, the pow-wows we went to, and the archives we searched just to understand where we came from. I am so profoundly grateful that he shared that passion with me, Yolanda. The chapter he wrote will always be the foundation of our history, and I am honored to carry the Pen now and keep telling our family stories.

Acknowledgment

The family of Roy E. Norman wishes to express their sincere gratitude for the many acts of kindness, comforting words, and prayers extended during this time of bereavement. May God richly bless each of you.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Roy Earl Norman, please visit our floral store.