Obituary

Kelly Cornelius Norman

August 18, 1945 - November 25, 2023

"The end of this life is the beginning of a new life, far better, far sweeter, without pain, sickness, sorrow, and most of all no more death. To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven--a time to weep and a time to laugh---a time to love, a time to hate, a time of war and a time of peace."  Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 & Revelation 21: 4

On Saturday, November 25, 2023, at 11:40 AM Kelly Cornelius Norman (aka Nyewusi Askari) transitioned to his eternal home. Kelly was the oldest son born on August 18, 1945, to the late Cornelius Norman and the late Mae Bell Norman Burkhalter. He departed this life at the age of 78 years.

Kelly was a 1964 graduate of Washington Parish High School where he participated in the marching band. Upon graduating from high school, he received a scholarship in music, to attend Grambling State University. After attending Grambling for one year, he decided to relocate to Seattle, Washington then Portland, Oregon. Because of his love for the arts - music, drawing, dance, storytelling, and theater- he organized the Sojourner Truth Theater. For ten years he traveled the state of Oregon presenting his plays. Kelly often performed in schools, for social agencies and the penal system. In 2022, after presenting African American Culture studies for ten years, he retired from the Portland Public School System. Kelly always displayed a contagious pleasant smile, a caring attitude and never met a stranger.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cornelius, and Mae Bell; stepfather, Willie Burkhalter; son, Ayodele Askari; brothers, David Norman, Lendsey Norman, Jesse Norman and Michael Norman; sister Delores Norman; stepsisters Dorothy Briggs and Carol Bell; stepbrother, Weston Burkhalter; nephew, Demeku Norman and great nephew Trey Cains.

To cherish his memory, Kelly is survived by a son, Jumoke Askari, of Portland, Oregon; twelve grandchildren, a brother, Edward Norman (Deborah) of Mt. Hermon, LA; three sisters, Ola Magee (Richard), of Franklinton, LA; Katherine Gibbs and Willie Burkhalter, both of Bogalusa, LA; stepbrothers, Leroy Burkhalter of Franklinton, LA; Curtis Burkhalter, of Roseland, LA; Allen Burkhalter, of Mt Hermon, LA; Willie E Burkhalter, of Los Angeles, California; stepsisters, Gwenda Dyson, of Los Angeles, California; Georgia Bickham, of Franklinton, LA; Augustine White, of Dayton, Ohio and nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 10:00AM - 1:00PM followed by the funeral service at 1:00PM at Crain and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Frederick Sweetwyne - Officiating. Interment - Union Chapel Cemetery. 

Crain and Sons Funeral Home in Franklinton are in charge of arrangements.