Amanda Danielle Norman

Amanda Danielle Norman, 24, known as "Sissy" to her mother, father, and older brother, passed from this life to become one of God’s Angels on Wednesday, December 23, 2009. At the time of her passing she was at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem. She fought a long and brave battle from October 20th through December 23rd which involved an initial surgery following by extensive complications.Amanda was born January 8, 1985 to Gerald Wesley Norman and Teena Marie Erb Norman.Prior to her death, Amanda created her own form of artwork. She drew pictures which she sold with all proceeds going to the "Make A Wish Foundation." Unable to use her hands, legs, or arms, she painstakingly drew each picture by holding the pen in her mouth. Amanda had numerous orders for her artwork. Her one great disappointment will be those orders she never had an opportunity to complete.Amanda’s joy was threefold: the joy of giving a gift to critically ill children, the joy she got from having a purpose, and the joy she got from the pleasure of the looks on the faces of the ones who received her completed drawings.Amanda was handicapped from the age of one. She spent the last 20 years in a wheelchair, but she never let her handicap prevent her from living life to the fullest. She loved life with a passion and met everyone with a smile.

In addition to her parents, Amanda is survived by her older brother, Jeremy Wesley Norman of Morganton; her paternal grandmother, Harriet Ella Yount Norman of Morganton; her maternal grandfather, Walter "Butch" Young Erb of Morganton; uncles and aunts, Billy and Anita Rector, Kenneth and Carla Baker, and Steven Robert Erb, all of Morganton; and cousins, Heather Mosteller, Dylan Rector, Kenneth Baker, Jr., Jason Baker, Jayla Mosteller, Gavin Baker, and Landon Baker, all of Morganton.Amanda was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Mack Norman, and her maternal grandmother, Mary Erb.The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at Missionary Ridge Baptist Church with Rev. Donald Lovelace officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m. prior to the service. At other times the family will be at the residence on Tommy Norman Ave., Morganton. Memorial contributions may be made to the Make A Wish Foundation, 212 S. Tryon St., Suite 1080, Charlotte, NC 28281. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.