Norma Chastang Ellison's Obituary
Norma Chastang Ellison was born in Mobile, Alabama on April 20, 1959, the sixth
child of Harold and Gloria Chastang. Raised a devout Catholic, Norma began studying the Word of GOD in 1988, was attending Congregation Beth Hallel of Roswell at the time of her passing at
7:20am on July 25, 2014.
Norma was married in 1989 to Arthur Ellison, Jr. Together they raised two
beautiful, talented, compassionate and adoring children, Gabrielle and Genevieve.
Norma’s love and devotion for, and pride of her daughters was unparalleled, as is
theirs for her.
Norma attended St. Peter Claver primary school, McGill-Toolen Catholic H.S. and
the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa), where she studied journalism and
reported on the “Fun and Stuff” television show. Upon graduation, she was an
assignment reporter for the ABC affiliate in Mobile. She continued her career
with ABC when she relocated to Atlanta in the early 1980s, working as a news producer.
At the time of her passing, Norma was a teacher at Cumberland Christian
Academy, where she was loved by her students, their parents and her colleagues.
She was on the faculty at Cumberland Christian for thirteen years.
Norma had a gracious, generous and warm spirit that touched everyone in her life. She was especially kind, considerate, patient and caring.
The focus of Norma's life was THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. Her daily devotionals consisted
of journaling her thoughts, dreams, visions from the LORD, activities from the previous
day, and the writing down of many scriptures, which she would then meditate and pray
over. Remember---Norma studied journalism in school and had now become a writer
for GOD.
Norma's girls, Gabby and Genny, were a major priority in her life, in addition to being
a Proverbs 31 wife. Providing the best education possible for
her daughters was her top priority. Norma was always behind the stage and on the
sidelines, coaching and cheering them on.
Since 1996, Norma and her husband Art have witnessed to thousands of individuals for
salvation over the years. In 1999,they headed up a prayer ministry from their home in Marietta when the City of Marietta ordered them to shut it down because of neighbors complaining of too many cars in the street and driveway. The Ellison's contacted LIBERTY COUNCIL'S Matt Staver, Atty., who sent a demand letter to the City of Marietta threatening to file a lawsuit on behalf of the Ellison's and their right to conduct prayer in their home, even if it was all night prayer on Friday nights. The City of Marietta followed with an apology letter several days later. Rush Limbaugh's brother, David Limbaugh, chronicled this event in his NY TIMES bestseller PERSECUTION in 2003. This story received nationwide coverage.
Over the years, Art has personally observed Norma's transformation from a secular individual
to becoming a dynamic woman of GOD. Her dedication and self-discipline to prayer and Bible
study are legendary. Norma is the most consistent individual he has ever known. They were
a team in winning souls, they would pray together every morning before going to work. Handing out gospel tracts and praying with strangers to receive salvation is what drove them to reach out to the people wherever they went, in the grocery store, the park, the library, the gas station, or the elevator---it didn't matter to Norma or Art.
During the summer of 2013, Norma began to prepare to become certified as a resources teacher. The graduate school online course, conducted by a California University, required that Norma write twelve papers in order to attain certification. There was a tremendous amount of required reading that Norma had to complete in order to do her assignments. Norma was not feeling well, as she pushed herself to succeed in this course, despite feeling weakened by what eventually became pneumonia, with the cancer diagnosis following.
Incidentally, Norma was on the Echad Dance Troupe, and continued to dance with all her
might. Norma is, and will always be, THE LORD'S DANCER. She went on to score the only
perfect score for this course, 100%, the professor had ever given anyone in her 25 years of
teaching this graduate level course. Norma was, and still is, very special. Just ask the LORD.
Helping those less fortunate and giving back to the community was extremely
important to Norma. This was a lesson she impressed upon her daughters.
Norma grew up in a close-knit, large, extended family community that included, in
addition to her siblings, many cousins, aunts, uncles and her grandparents.
Among the many happy experiences shared with this extended family, were the
summers spent with them at her grandparents’ summer home on “the island”
(Mon Louis Island, AL).
She loved to tell stories, often about her brothers “teasing” her, participating in
the Mardi Gras court, and time “down on the island” with Popi, Grandma Celia
Mae and all of her cousins. She was an excellent cook, making the best pralines
and gumbo in the world!
Norma and Art were truly blessed to have not one, but two valedictorians
in the family in 2011 and 2014. Gabby is studying public relations and journalism at Lee University and Genny will study pre-med at Lee U. as well. The girls have received Christian
education all their lives, at Cumberland Christian Academy, from K-4 to 12, and now at Lee U.
Norma leaves to mourn her loss, her husband, Art, and her two daughters, Gabrielle and Genny;
siblings, Sharon Clark, Rita Chastang, Harold
Chastang, Jr., Mark Chastang (Linda), Walter Chastang (Cynthia) and Paul
Chastang, and aunts, Greta Lemee and Annie Trenier. She also leaves nieces and nephews, Todd (Denise), Michael (Anika), Ben, Mark Jr., Rebecca, Walter, Jr., Melissa, Stephanie and Kym, as well as a large and very close-knit extended family, including the Lewises (Detroit), the Petites (Mobile), Lemees (Saint Louis), the Johnsons (Chicago) and the Treniers (Mobile), with whom Norma spent her childhood summers on Mon Luis Island, and many cherished friends, including Kassandra Ware.
What’s your fondest memory of Norma?
What’s a lesson you learned from Norma?
Share a story where Norma's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Norma you’ll never forget.
How did Norma make you smile?
