Norma Jean (Goodwin) Gaston

On November 4, 2025, Norma Jean Goodwin Gaston, age 86, passed away peacefully at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, Maryland. Norma was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, educator, and friend to many. She was a leader in education in Mad River Township and Dayton Public Schools. She was a mentor to many young people who went on to have families of their own; some of whose children she also educated.

She was a lifelong learner who loved music, travel, and surrounding herself with family and friends.  She was a proud, 65-year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (Beta Eta Omega Chapter) and a 30+ year member of The Links, Incorporated (Dayton (OH) Chapter).

Norma was preceded in death by the love of her life, Thomas Leon Gaston, Jr., her parents, LaGrange William Goodwin and Cora Goodwin of Birmingham, Alabama, and her brother, William LaGrange Goodwin of Cincinnati, Ohio. Norma leaves many who will cherish her in memory, daughters, Sharon Gaston Barry (Calvin) and Jocelyn Nicole McCray (Sean) and grandsons Jordan Thomas Lamont Barry and Sean Antonio McCray, Jr. She also leaves her brother, Ronald Goodwin, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews and dear friends. 

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A Celebration of Life event is planned in Dayton, Ohio.

Norma will be inurned with her husband in the Dayton National Cemetery

January 24, 2026.  

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Condolences may be expressed on the above Tribute Wall

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