Norma Jean Powell

Norma Powell Obituary Norma Jean Powell was born on August 26, 1935 to Fleta Powell and Kenneth Powell in Cleveland, Ohio. She had one sister Shirley Powell who preceded her in death. She was good in school and graduated from John Adams High School in 1953. She was employed by Bobbie Brooks until their closing in 1982 in the General Offices and one day was invited by a friend to be a hostess at the Karamu House. Since Norma had been "singing all her life", going on stage was the next step. Even without any formal training, she appeared in at least 100 Karamu House Productions. Raleigh, Akron, New York City were just a few places she appeared with her mezzosoprano voice. Next it was on to West Germany, France, England, Berlin, London, Paris-and the list went on and on and it did not stop there. She made it around the world. Norma went on to appear in many productions for many decades throughout Northeast Ohio and tri-state New York areas appearing in dramas, operas and musical comedies. She was also a stage manager and a multi-cultural storyteller. She became one of the co-producers and co-hosts of the local television access program "Wake-up and Live with the Arts". Norma has appeared in more than 100 productions at the famed Karamu theatre of Cleveland, OH and was member of TOPs. in 2018, she received the Karamu Distinguished Alumni Award for her contributions within the arts. In 2019, she was awarded as a Local Living Legend and inducted into the Hall of Fame. Norma was full of life and always had a quick famous line of something to say. She lived her life to the fullest enjoying every moment and serving the Lord with gratitude. She was an awarded member of the Cleveland Association of the Black Storytellers, Inc. and enjoyed reading to the children. Although Norma's family has preceded her in passing, she leaves a person that will miss her greatly, Norene Van Leer, who was by her side throughout her entire illness. She will miss her so much. Norma also leaves to mourn her passing dear friends, Maxine Brown, May Rose Thompson, Charlene Davis, Terrence Spivey, Peter Lawson Jones, the Hawkins Family and a host of many other friends. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Norma Jean Powell, please visit our floral store. Read More

Norma Jean Powell

August 26, 1935 - October 29, 2020