On February 22, 2023 Norma Lavern Moss Sobieski was guided by angels to her heavenly home. Norma was born on January 25, 1930 in Crystal Springs, MS. She is preceded in death by her husband Russell James Sobieski, her parents John Bowie Moss and Viola Neil Moss, brothers Toby and Son Moss and sisters Maggie, Burt, Dale, Erlene, Avenelle and Totsie. She is survived by her daughters Barbara Cain (Hal), Janet Wilson (Ronnie) and Debra Bethea, grandchildren Angela Cain, Brian Rayburn (Lynda), Chelsea Scott, Dustin Scott and great grandson Brooks Scott, and multiple nieces, nephews and cousins in Mississippi. After marrying R.J., Mrs. Sobieski moved from Crystal Springs, MS to San Juan, P.R. for her husband's career with the FAA and started their family. She soon returned to the Gulf Coast of Mobile and resided in midtown for the past 74 years. While growing her family, Mrs. Sobieski was active as a kindergarten teacher, Sunday school teacher, and vacation Bible school at Sage Avenue Baptist Church committed to teaching children about Jesus' love and life. Through Sage Ave. Baptist Church she became an active volunteer with the International Seamans Ministry during its founding and volunteered for over a decade. She was committed to the mission of greeting and hosting seaman far from home and supporting their physical, social, and spiritual needs. A God given nurturer, she loved being a grandmother and rearing them in the right direction. Even in her senior years, the neighborhood children would be drawn to her, many of whom would return to visit to say hello and share how she impacted their life with her kindness. She was a talented seamstress and children and adults were able to enjoy her creations over the years. She never missed Who Wants to be a Millionaire, Oprah, or Ellen and always filled out the Publishers Clearinghouse sweepstakes that came in the mail. She may have asked for help to fill in the cross word puzzle she was working on at the time. As a teenager Norma won the Ms. Jackson, MS beauty pageant she was encouraged to enter after being noticed at the local Seale-Lily ice cream shop she was employed. Known for her beauty, her real beauty was on the inside. She created a generous home full of grace and loving-kindness always ready to make a meal or bake a cookie. All dogs were welcome and never went hungry. Her good humor will be truly remembered. The family is forever thankful for her amazing caregivers over the years that gave her love, dignity, respect and the best care while living in her home. Her last word was Amen, her family agrees.
January 25, 1930 ~ February 22, 2023 (age 93)
Services will be Monday, February 27, 2023, at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home with visitation from 1:00 pm until the graveside service at 2:00 pm in Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
I married Norma's nephew, Norman Scott Didlake, who grew up in Crystal Springs, MS. Aunt Norma was so gracious, pretty, nicely dressed. She and all her siblings are missed!