Norma Jean Gooden
1934 ~ 2021
Date of death: February 2, 2021
In profound sadness, the staff of Veasley Funeral Home & Cremations, Inc. want to express our sincere condolences to the Gooden family. Norma’s earthly temple is now resting in the care of Veasley Funeral Home. Revelations 21:4 says "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death; nor sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away." Be assured that in the days ahead you will surely gain strength from the memories of Mother Norma Jean Gooden.
Sincerely,
Derrick Veasley ~ Director
Henry Veasley ~ Director
Pastor E.C. Maltbia ~ Chaplain
Norma Jean Gooden was born January 31,1934. She was the daughter of Reverend Wiley Bridges and Lucinda Johnson-Bridges.
Norma accepted Christ at an early age, and joined Greater St. John Baptist Church under the leadership of J. S. Osborn. She was joined in marriage to Freddie Lee Gooden on June 11, 1951 and to this union produced 3 sons. They later moved to Kansas City, Missouri and moved their membership to Good Samaritan Missionary Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and they both served faithfully Under Pastor Walter J. Witherspoon and later joined Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church and served under B.W. Rucker. They later moved back to Little Rock, Arkansas and she joined St. Mark Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Phillip Pointer.
Norma was a Licensed practical nurse (LPN) at UAMS in Little Rock, Arkansas and continued work as a LPN in Kansas City, Missouri at St. Mary’s Hospital where she later became a surgical technician until she retired .
Norma was lovingly called “Mommy” or “Grandma” by friends and family and those that knew her.
Norma Jean departed this life on February 2, 2021. She was preceded in death by her father; mother; sister, Maxine Watson; brother Robert Bridges, and husband Freddie Lee Gooden.
Norma Jean leaves to cherish her memory: three sons, Reginald (Demetria) Gooden of Little Rock, Arkansas, Rodney Gooden of Houston, Texas, Pastor Kevin (LaWonda) Gooden of Grandview, Missouri; 9 grandchildren: Joma Ray, Shamekia Gooden, Regina (Bobby) Chaten, Elise Gooden, Rodney Gooden, II, Justin Nelson, Brittany Gooden, Brandon (Nakita Davis) Winston, Gary Hillary; 10 great grandchildren; 2 nephews, Therman (Mary) Scott, Garfield Bridges, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Visitation for family and friends will be held Friday, February 12, 2021 from 10:00am to 11:00am at Greater Second Baptist Church, 5615 Geyer Springs Rd., Little Rock, Arkansas.
Celebration of life service will be held Friday, February 12, 2021, 11:00am at Greater Second Baptist Church, 5615 Geyer Springs, Rd., Little Rock, Arkansas.
Committal service and final resting place will be held at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, 1501 W. Maryland Ave., North Little Rock, Arkansas.
