Norma Faye Manush, 86 of Tuscumbia, died at Arabella Health and Wellness in Russellville on November 19, 2025. Visitation will be at Morrison Funeral Home on Monday, November 24, 2025, from 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. The funeral service will be Monday, November 24, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home with Father Benny Karmilikkal presiding. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Tuscumbia.
Known affectionately to her family as “Sissy,” Norma was born to Ernest and Hattie Neely Manush on November 6, 1939. Norma was a graduate of Deshler High School in Tuscumbia. She was a 1960 graduate of Florence State College with a Bachelors of Science degree in Mathematics. She went on to receive a Master of Social Work degree from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1964.
Norma was a member of Our Lady of the Shoals Catholic Church.
Norma began her career as a math teacher at Deshler High School before pursuing social work. She spent most of her career with the Alabama State Department of Human Resources in Montgomery serving families and children across the state of Alabama. She began working in the department in the Division of Child and Family Services in 1969 and retired in 1996 as the Deputy Director of the Division of Family and Children Services. Her commitment to helping children and families spanned nationally as she served on the steering committees to develop both the National Association of Public Child Welfare Administration as well as the Southeast Regional Adoption Resource Center.
Norma retired in 1996 and returned to Tuscumbia. She loved Tuscumbia and telling people about its rich history which included her uncle Heinie Manush, a Major League Baseball Hall of Famer. She and her brother, Frank, often opened their home to the public for tours during the town’s annual Heinie Manush Day events.
Norma was a member of the Colbert County Historical Landmarks Foundation and a founding member of the planning committee for the annual Heinie Manush Day. She also served as long time treasurer of the Friends of the Helen Keller Library.
After her retirement and return to Tuscumbia, Norma enjoyed gardening and restoring her family home, which was dedicated as a historical landmark in 2013.
Whether in her successful career with the Department of Human Services or her volunteer work, Norma had a knack for taking charge of any situation and moving things forward. She was strong minded and confident in expressing her views while never shying away from hard work. Norma’s leadership, both professionally and in her various civic endeavors, left a lasting impression on her community.
Norma is survived by her brother, Frank Manush; and cousins Amy Manush Glover (Muscle Shoals), Mark Manush (Huntsville), Stan Manush (Vestavia Hills), Charles Manush (Godfrey, IL), Robert Glen Manush (Phoenix, AR), Sue Manush Wallace (Dallas, TX), Veronica Wright (Huntsville), Mary Jo Kirkpatrick (Amory, MS), Jeannie Goodnogh (Mantachie, MS) and Anna Howell (Madison, MS); and special friends Jenny Beth Nesbit, Ninon and Richard Parker, Carol South, Beth and Reg Lambert, Michelle and Paul McGuire and Maureen Pounders.
Pallbearers will be: Richard Parker, Reg Lambert, Paul McGuire, Bennie Ralph Smallwood, Forest Smallwood and Billy Kirkpatrick.
Donations may be made in Norma’s memory to: Friends of the Helen Keller Library at 511 North Main Street, Tuscumbia, AL 35674.
