Norma Van Nostrand

Norma Southard Van Nostrand passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 16, 2021. She was the only child of Olin Southard and Mattie Kate Henderson Southard and was born in Decatur, GA. She attended Decatur Girls High School and earned her degree from Georgia State University. Norma was a member of Oakhurst Presbyterian Church in Decatur during her early years, then attended Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church later, followed by Stark United Methodist Church in Jackson, GA. She especially loved being a member of the choir at all three churches during her time there. Norma was also very involved in politics. She was a member of the Republican Party and served as Chairman of the Forty Third District and First Vice Chairman of the Dekalb Republican Party. She was a member of the National Federation of Republican Women and a member of the Greater Dekalb Republican Women. After retiring to Jackson Lake, she served as Chairman of Butts County Republican Party for two terms. She was also a member of The Atlanta Power Squadron, an organization that promotes boating safely, where she served as President of the Squadron Auxiliary.
Norma celebrated 40 years of marriage to Walter Leon Van Nostrand III just prior to his death in 2014. She was also preceded in death by her parents Olin & Kate Southard and her daughter Dianne Bissell. Survivors include her son: Bill Southard Berry (Gail), her stepchildren: M. Gay Van Nostrand, Tricia Everett (Russ), Charles York (Sam) Van Nostrand and Karen Bockholt (Scott), grandchildren: Traci Berry Kendrick (Ken) and Carly Berry Wood (Kevin), great grandchildren: Jazmyn Wood, Alex Wood, Kellen Kendrick and Kollen Kendrick, cousins: George, Vickie and Eva. There will be a private family funeral on Monday February 22, 2021 at 2pm at A.S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home in Decatur, GA. This service can be viewed virtually on A.S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home Facebook page. In lieu of flowers the family requests that a donation be made to Norma’s church in her memory. Stark United Methodist Church 1097 Halls Bridge Road Jackson, GA 30233.