Norma Lee Headlee

Norma Lee (White) Headlee, 91, of Powell, Ohio, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on July 29, 1935, the fourth of 12 children born to the late Thomas and Aura (Stinson) White. Norma went to be with the Lord after a life defined by faith, love, generosity, and devotion to her family. Norma was a longtime member of Bethel United Methodist Church. Norma attended Dublin High School, she met the love of her life and high school sweetheart, David Headlee. Norma was the valedictorian of the Dublin High School Class of 1953 and proudly served as head cheerleader. Norma and David were married on February 14, 1954. Early in their marriage, they moved to Washington, D.C., where Norma worked for the FBI as an administrative assistant under J. Edgar Hoover. In 1956, military service took Norma and David to Chicago before they returned to central Ohio in 1958, where they made their home and raised their family. Norma had a heart for helping others, which led her to become a foster parent to multiple children. Her compassion continued to make a difference long after those children left her home; her family recently learned that one of her foster children went on to become a foster parent as well. Norma's working life included serving as an office manager and realtor for HER. Eventually, she left her career to take on what she considered her very best job—watching her grandsons. Although she enjoyed an exciting and fulfilling work life, nothing compared to the love and joy she found in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Norma was preceded in death by her beloved husband David, her siblings Eugene, Nancy Deringer, Thomas, James and Carol (infants), Carson (infant), and Michael; and numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law, including Naomi Jean White, Linda White, Robert Griffith, David Henderson, Harold and Wilma Headlee, Irma Jean and Jack Extenkamper, John and Betty Headlee, Melvin and Catherin Headlee, Richard Headlee, Lee Headlee, Jack Price, Charlie Headlee, Bill Headlee, Roger Headlee, Jim Headlee, and John Shoemaker. She is survived by her son, Mark (Deidra) Headlee; daughters, Linda Gray and Jennifer (Brent) Harper; grandchildren, Ashley Stroh, Cora (Joshua) Ayers, Kaitlyn Headlee (fiancé Joshua McElderry), Adam (Elaine) Gray, Samantha Gray (fiancé Alex Pollera), Jacqueline (Garren) Blankenship, Gavin Harper (fiancé Rachel Shakley), Chance Harper, and Kaitlyn (Tony) Moos; and great-grandchildren, Gage, Axel, Theodore, Monroe, Payton, and Harper. She is also survived by her siblings Jane Griffith, Jean (Dan) Austin, Marilyn Henderson, and Carolyn (Joe) May; and in-laws Charles Deringer, Elizabeth White, Wayne (Shelby) Headlee, Arlene Headlee, Barbara Headlee, Eula Price, Margie Headlee, Diane Headlee, Claudette Headlee, and Sharon Shoemaker. Norma will be lovingly remembered for her beautiful smile, selflessness, unwavering Christian faith, and the wisdom and life lessons she shared with so many. She had a special ability to make an impact on everyone she met, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, faith, and family that will continue through the generations. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Visiting Hours: 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., Saturday, August 29, 2026 with Funeral Service at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Rutherford Funeral Home at Powell 450 W. Olentangy Street Powell, Ohio Burial Service: Immediately following at Dublin Cemetery In lieu of flowers, donations to a local foster care program may be made in honor of Norma Lee Headlee.

Norma Lee Headlee

July 29, 1935 - August 16, 2026