Norma Willhoit

Norma Katherine Norris Willhoit

December 28, 1935 - February 25, 2016

Chapel Hill

Norma Willhoit, 80, died at her Orange County home on Thursday, February 25. She was a dedicated mother, nurse, and mental health advocate whose faith guided her to help others.

Norma was born December 28, 1935, in Jefferson City, Missouri, and grew up in Butler and Pleasant Hill, Mo. She lived with her husband, Don, in Seattle and the Pittsburgh area before the family established Chapel Hill as their home in 1964.

She started her studies at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo. and St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing in Kansas City. And after raising a family, she completed an A.B. in psychology at William Jewell and a B.S.N. and an M.A. in counseling from N.C. Central University.

She held several jobs at UNC Hospitals, specialized in psychiatric nursing and counseling. She was recognized several times in the North Carolina nursing community: She served as president of the local American Nurses district, chairwoman of the N.C. Nurses Association's Psych/Mental Health Council, president of the Orange County Mental Health Association, and chairwoman of the Psychiatric-Mental Health Generalists. She was also active in the Jung Society, the political action committee for nurses, and parish nursing initiatives.

She spent her life advocating and caring for others. Outside of her nursing career, she spent a month-long mission trip to a rural hospital in Haiti, helped Ghanaian women find markets for their textiles, and led girl and cub scout troops, among many other activities.

She was guided by her faith, and it sustained her through her own health challenges. She was an active member of Binkley Baptist Church for over 50 year, serving as a deacon and involved in various outreach activities.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents, Ulysses Edgar Norris and Gladys Coolidge Norris, and her brothers, Howard, Donald and Warren. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Donald G. Willhoit, and her children: Mark Willhoit (Paige Vinson) of Durham; Valerie Moore (David) of Columbia, S.C.; Lynne Willhoit (Richard Viola) of Arlington, Va.; and Melissa Siler (William) of Charlotte. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Celeste Willhoit; Reed, Grace and Thad Moore; Olivia and Marco Viola; and Jacob and Alexander Siler.

A memorial service will be held on March 19, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Binkley Baptist Church, 1712 Willow Drive in Chapel Hill. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Binkley Memorial Fund.