Norma Jean Aplet

Norma Jean Aplet

Norma Jean, age 90, of Norfolk, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Saturday after a long and fulfilling life.

Born in Bedford, Virginia, she grew up on the Brisentine family farm alongside her loving aunts and uncle and a community full of friends and neighbors.

Throughout her life the Navy brought her to many places including California, Hawaii, and Annapolis, Maryland. She moved to Norfolk and ultimately called it home. She worked as a computer programmer for the Naval Supply Center for most of her career while raising her family. With her keen business sense, she also co-owned the Texaco gas station at Ward's Corner with her husband, Len, for many years.

She will be remembered for her wonderful baking, her butterscotch supreme and pound cake being family favorites at every holiday, and for her green thumb and passion for gardening.

She was a loving and dedicated mother and grandmother, founding the Frederick Military Academy Booster Club, actively volunteering at Mary Calcott elementary school, and attending school functions with pride.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Goldie Brisentine Spickard (Johnson) and William E. Johnson; her brother, Robert Johnson; her first husband, Robert Graybill; and her loving husband of 34 years, Leon Charles (Len) Aplet. She is survived by her two children, Mark Graybill (Susan Pollack) and Sherry Johnson (Terry Johnson); four grandchildren, Brandt Graybill (Nikki Harris-Graybill), Stephen Belechak (Stephanie Belechak), Lindsay Derby (Bryan Derby), and Cody Johnson (Lexie Cron). She also leaves behind her cherished great-grandchildren, Zoe, Bryson, Rowan, Isabel, Charlotte, Charles, and Jack.

Viewings will be held June 4th and 5th, from 5:30 to 6 p.m., at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Tidewater Drive Chapel in Norfolk, Virginia. After which the family will receive friends and guests from 6 to 8 p.m. each evening.

Burial will be held privately at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sentara Foundation for Hospice. Their care, especially from Nurse Mike, was a blessing in her final days of life. Donations can be made directly online by selecting Hospice as the donation fund or by mailing checks to Sentara Foundation at 1300 Sentara Park 1st Floor, Virginia Beach, VA 23464. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.