Sona Gail Norton, 55, of Sylva, passed away Saturday evening, June 15, 2013. The daughter of an Air Force Veteran family, she was born in Tennessee, April 16, 1958. She attended high school in Cambridge, England. The family moved back to Sylva, where she graduated from Western Carolina University, Summa Cum Laude in Interior Design. After graduating she worked for over 20 years for Nolan Interiors in Waynesville and most recently was employed at Western Carolina University in the Mountain Heritage Center. She was the great niece of Frank and Hattie Norton Brown, who had donated their homeplace to Western Carolina University. She was also the great great great granddaughter of Barrack Norton, one of the first settlers in Western North Carolina. Sona was preceded in death by her sister, Susan Norton
She is survived by her son- Keegan Wright of Sylva
Her mother and father- Edwin, originally of Cullowhee and Marian Munday Norton, originally from Norwich, England
2 Sisters- Sally and her husband David Yokely of Sylva
Sharon and her husband James Aust of East LaPorte
1 Brother- Edwin L. Norton and his wife Cindy of Cincinnati, Ohio
Aunts- Elaine Fitzmaurice of Norwich, England, Josephine Weslowdski of Pennsylvania, Linda Baldwin of Chicago, Ill, Pamela Bucey of Alabama, Jill Halliday of Norwich, England, Virginia Grady and her husband Jim of Morganton, NC
Uncle- Donald Ling of Norwich, England, Eugene Norton of Murphy, NC, Ray Faircloth and his wife Debbie of Sylva
Special Cousin- Marsha Arkwright of Norwich, England
Niece- Samantha Rix of Leicestershire, England
And many more nieces, nephews and special friends also survive
Sona loved photography, animals, crafts, traveling and flowers. She had the happiest laugh of all and never met a stranger; all that knew her loved her. Loving and caring, she will be missed by so many and now can rest in peace with her sister Susan, who she loved so dearly.
A Memorial Service will be Thursday, August 1, 2013 at 6:00 pm at the Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Services.
Memorial Contributions can be made in Sona’s name to the Jackson County Humane Society. PO Box 298, Sylva, NC 28779
.
.