Norma Washburn Mabes

Norma Washburn Mabes, 84, died peacefully on May 22, 2025 at the Transitions Hospice Care of Raleigh. She was born in Spray, North Carolina, June 24,1940, daughter of the late, Andrew Rucker Washburn and Frances O’Dell Washburn. She was preceded in death by her brother Andrew Ronald Washburn, sister Lorna Gail Allen, and her beloved husband George Dewey Mabes, Jr. (Junnie). Norma and Junnie married July 23rd, 1960, and lived a loving and devoted life together for 44 years until his death in 2004. She is survived by her son George Dewey Mabes, III and wife Lynn Brock Mabes of Calabash, NC, her daughter Felicia Mabes Heyward and husband Brent Barnwell Heyward of Raleigh, NC, and grandchildren George Dewey Mabes, IV and significant other Kendra Brooke Elliott of Kernersville, NC, Molly Mabes Bedikian and husband Anthony Bedikian of Charlotte, NC, Kristina Heyward Elliott and husband John Robert Elliott of Raleigh, NC, and Austin Barnwell Heyward of Raleigh, NC.

Norma devoted her life to her family, friends, and caring for others. She enjoyed spending time with a group of girlfriends named the “Chunky Monkeys” because of their love of eating Chunky Monkey ice cream together, and monthly gatherings of high school classmates. One of Norma’s favorite places was Sunset Beach where she enjoyed family vacations and visits to the Sunset Beach Park to read books and watch boats on the Intracoastal Waterway.

Norma was a graduate of Morehead High School where she developed lifelong friendships, was a National Honor Society member, and was the head cheerleader. After high school, she worked for Goldston Trucking until her children were born.

She was a dedicated mother, school volunteer, and lifelong member at North Spray Christian Church where she was the choir director for 20 years, part of the Christian Women’s Fellowship, taught Sunday School, and a member of Challengers Sunday school class.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to an Alzheimer’s or cancer research organization of your choice.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 29th at 12 PM at Fair Funeral Home Chapel in Eden, with a funeral service celebrating her life at 1 PM. Burial will follow at Ridgeview Cemetery.