Norma Jean Bowers-Long

Norma Jean Johnson Bowers Long, age 95, of Knoxville, TN and Deland, FL passed away on Sunday, July 19th at home with her daughters.

Norma was a native Knoxvillian, graduating from Central High School in 1949, where she enjoyed being a majorette. She then attended the University of Tennessee, where she joined the Pride of the Southland Band and felt privileged to march with them as a majorette. She was a lifelong Volunteer fan and enjoyed all UT sports. If there were orange and white uniforms on a field, a court or a diamond, she was watching and yelling Go Vols!

Norma was employed by the State of Tennessee for 17 years, working with the Departments of Human Services and Education.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Velma and (R.F.) Floyd Johnson; her first husband of 40 years, Floyd J. Bowers, Jr.; her husband of 15 years, Clay Justice Long; her stepdaughter, JoAnn Long Richard, sisters in law, Mary Holley and Joyce Spraker Hamilton.

She is survived by her daughters, Debra Kay Bowers and son-in-law Bob Mercer (Orlando), and Angela Gail Bowers (Deland). Stepdaughters, Linda Long Deaver (Knoxville), Donna Long Wiley (Jacksonville), and Pamela Douglas (Ormond Beach) and grandchildren, Cole Bowers (Richmond), Bobby Mercer and wife Meghan (Orlando), Daniel Mercer and wife Caitlin (Orlando). Norma maintained her membership in Central Baptist Church of Bearden. Mynatt Funeral Home in Fountain City, TN is providing services as follows: The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Wednesday, July 29th, with a service to follow at 2:00 PM; Reverend Mike Seger officiating. Interment will follow immediately after the service at Highland Memorial Cemetery at 3:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pride of Southland Marching Band https://give.utk.edu/schools/UniversityofTennesseeKnoxville/big-orange-give/pages/units/band 

Condolences can be made for Norma at www.mynattfh.com