Mother Amelia Sanchez Norman

Amelia T. Sanchez Norman was born in Lake Butler, Florida to Reverend Dr. Firmin C. Sanchez and Nellie Johnson Sanchez. As a young child, her family moved frequently, due to her father being an African Methodist Episcopal Minister. As a result, she attended elementary school in Bonifay, Florida; Starke, Florida; Tampa, Florida; Jacksonville, Florida; High Springs, Florida and Lake Wales, Florida. If her father was appointed to another church before the school term finished, she and her brother, Joseph stayed behind with their mother in a loyal member’s home until the end of the school term. Later they rejoined her father in a new home and a new church.

Amelia moved with her family to Chicago, Illinois in the 1940s. She was a member of Baber Chapel AME Church in Chicago, Illinois.

Education was important to Amelia. Even with setbacks due to her battle with polio, she completed her education. She graduated from the Brainard Elementary School in 1946 and graduated from Gregier Junior High School in 1948. At the age of 14, she was accepted in the Roosevelt University of Music. She graduated from McKinley High School in 1950. She also attended Chicago’s Teacher’s College.

Amelia was married to Hubert Norman and they had three sons, Delwin, Vincent and Joseph Norman. She moved to Jacksonville, Florida with her family in 1969.

Amelia enrolled in Edward Waters College and received her Bachelor of Science Degree with Cum Laude Honors in 1972. She received her Master of Education Degree from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in 1977 with Cum Laude Honors.

Amelia retired from the Duval County School Board in 1995, after twenty-three years of service. She taught at R.V. Daniels Elementary School from January 1972 until June 1972; Woodland Acres Elementary School from 1972-1986; Picketville Elementary School from 1986 until 1992; and Woodland Acres Elementary School from 1992 until 1995.

Amelia and her family joined the St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church after their move to Jacksonville in 1969. She was the musician for the Gospel Choir at St. Paul and also was the musician for several other churches in the city, including Mt. Zion AME Church on the Southside and Mt. Olive AME Church on the Eastside. She was also a class leader.

Amelia was preceded in death by her husband, Hubert Norman; son, Delwin Norman; parents, Reverend Dr. Firmin C. Sanchez and Nellie Johnson Sanchez; sisters, Gertrude; and many aunts and uncles with whom she was close too.

Amelia leaves to cherish her memory, two sons, Vincent Norman, Sr. and Joseph Norman; daughter-in-law, Ada Cecelia Jones Norman; five grandchildren, Tanda Norman, Vincent Norman, Jr. (Toshia), Jelani Norman, David Norman of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin and Michelle Jones (Dwyer); eight great grandchildren, Ebony Norman, Vanesha Norman, Bre'Ana Norman, Mikayla Norman, MacKenzie Norman, Samiyah Jones, Raquel Jones and Nina Jones; three great grand-grandchildren,  Kenneth Brooks, Erin McCreary and Evyn McCreary; one brother, Presiding Elder Joseph Sanchez; one sister, Lillie Young of Quincy,, Florida; special niece, Lula Voncille Johnson; several nieces, nephews, numerous cousins, other relatives and friends.   

Sarah L. Carter's Funeral Home Northside is serving the Family.

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