Nora Jean Hoffman

Nora Jean Hoffman, 79, had many family and friends who loved her dearly but none more than her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ whom she went to be with in Heaven, on January 30, 2026, attended bedside by her loving, loyal husband of almost 42 years, Willis (Bill) Hoffman, and her boys. Nora and Bill's marriage was one of love and comfort for them but also for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The family's love and support are with Bill now and always.

Nora was a wonderful and caring wife to her husband, Bill. She was a wonderful and loving mother to her three boys whose hearts are burdened but who also know and love Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. She absolutely loved and adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and no one brought her more joy than her "grands" who also loved and adored her.

I Thessalonians 4:13-14 assures us that our family does not mourn as those who do not know and love Jesus Christ because we have the promises Jesus afforded us thanks to His birth, His ministry, His ultimate sacrifice on the cross, His resurrection, and His ascension to the right hand throne of God. Because of Jesus our family finds great peace knowing we will all be reunited once again in perfect glory but this is also because Nora was a very meaningful reason why her husband, her children and their wives, and her "grands" know and love Jesus as well. Until we are reunited by Jesus, Nora is truly loved and dearly missed by us all.

Born in Red Lick, Mississippi in 1946 and raised in Charleston, West Virginia by her loving parents, Rex and Jeannette Hale, Nora never knew a stranger, had countless friends, and was loved by literally HUNDREDS who have been reaching out with condolences and heartwarming stories. She had a comforting smile, twinkling eyes, and a hug for everyone. Hugs were one of her favorite gifts to be given and received.

Nora also loved her animals. She particularly loved her thriving bunny, Poppy, and teacup chihuahua, Sophie. She and Bill also loved and cared for a rascally dog named Otis and an equally rascally bunny named Piper who've passed. She was also instrumental in helping her son, Micah, train his dog, Sarge, who means so much to Micah and his family.

Nora was a gentle but fierce warrior, full of Cherokee blood that served her well throughout life. As a young mother of three rambunctious boys - Bunky, Richie, and Micah - she fought fiercely to protect and love them and their lives reflect those efforts to this day. As the military wife of Bill, an E6 First Class Navy serviceman and Aviation Warfare Specialist (retired) she unselfishly fought for the great United States of America.

Most recently, this 79 year old lady battled the most ferocious fight of her life against cancer. In a year's time she endured multiple chemotherapy sessions, surgery, and sixty rounds of radiation. Sadly, the effects of her cancer treatment were too much for her immune system and she found herself fighting pneumonia, sepsis, respiratory illness, and finally two heart attacks simultaneously.

Through all of that, with the love of Jesus, family, and friends, she never stopped smiling and trusting in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that He wanted her home and so she passed peacefully on January 30, 2026 with Bill and her boys by her side.

Nora is survived by her husband of almost 42 years, Willis (Bill Hoffman), who were married on January 9, 1985.

She is also survived by her three sons, Phil (Bunky) Morgan Gandy III and his wife Ann, Richard Matthew Gandy, and William Micah Gandy and his wife Laina.

She is also survived by ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Seth Morgan Gandy and Olivia Marie Gandy (fiancé Dru Richter) are Bunky's two children, Nora's first grandchildren.

Andrew Tur is Richard Gandy's son.

Finley Gandy Lawson (Joshua), Kimber Gandy, Deacon Gandy, Brityn Gandy, Bishop Gandy, London Gandy, and Sawyer Gandy are Micah's seven children.

Micah's daughter, Finley (Joshua) gave Nora two great-grandchildren, two boys, Bellamy and Caspian. What a precious gift.

And what a legacy Nora has given us and what a perfect example of the hope our family has in Jesus Christ who forever bonds our family together now and soon, too, in Heaven.

Nora was preceded in death by her parents, Rex and Jeannette Hale, a brother Richard (Rick) Hale, Donald Hale (Debbie), and a living brother, Jim Hale. She graduated from Charleston High School and, while raising two boys and working nights, attended Tennessee Temple University.

God bless you, Nora Jean.

Funeral arrangements were trusted to Wilmington Funeral & Cremation - Wilmington Chapel, 1535 S. 41st Street Wilmington, NC 28403, (910) 791-9099.