Norma Aileen Buckalew

Norma Aileen Buckalew (Waid), born December 19, 1930, passed away peacefully on April 27, 2023 at the age of 92 in Woodstock, GA.  Norma was born in Oneonta, Alabama to her late parents, Bernard, and Bertie Waid.  She was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Lester Trammell Buckalew, her son Doss Leander Buckalew, her brother Allen Waid, and her sister Sara Waid.  Norma is survived by three children, Trammell Waid Buckalew (Mary), Roberta Jean Gibson (Allan), Clifford Allen Buckalew (Barbara), four grandchildren, Doss, Norma Ella, Stacie, Nicole, five great-grandchildren, her brother Harvey Leander Waid (Montez), and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Throughout her life as a mother, military wife, and mentor to many, Norma excelled at everything she put her mind to.  Some of her many talents were seamstress, hairdresser, and businesswoman.  She also became a pilot, assisting her husband Les with their air photography business. 

Norma charmed everyone with her adventures as a military wife with four young children traveling across Central America in a VW van when returning to the United States from Panama, traveling in Europe while stationed in Holland, finding, and bringing home her antique treasures, moving throughout the United States including Washington State, Nebraska, New Jersey, South Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia before returning home to Alabama and then to Georgia to be close to family.

Norma will be laid to rest beside her husband in Trinity Gardens at Westview Cemetery in Atlanta on Saturday, May 6, 2023, after a graveside service beginning at 2:00 pm.