Our hearts ache as we remember the beautiful and vibrant life of Norma Ruth Williams Redd, who began her journey on August 23, 1944, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, born to Virginia Sherman and Fletcher Williams.
From her earliest days, Redd possessed a natural spark and an outgoing spirit that charmed everyone she met. As just a kindergartener, her vivacious personality shone bright as she became a majorette. Her family’s path led them to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where they settled in the historic Greenwood District. Redd’s roots grew deeper there as she attended Charles S. Johnson and Dunbar Elementary Schools. Moving on to Carver Junior High, her infectious energy found outlets in the pep squad and school plays, quickly making her known and loved as a true social butterfly.
Redd continued to radiate warmth and enthusiasm at Booker T. Washington High School. Her spirit was undeniable – she was a cheerleader, and her peers, recognizing her unique charisma, crowned her “Miss Personality.” After graduating in 1962, life brought new adventures. During her teen years working at the Big 4, she met her first husband, Lawrence Samuels. Together, their love blossomed into a family, blessing them with five adored children: Cheryl Samuels, KaTonya Samuels, LaSalle Samuels (Kate) residing in the Czech Republic, Sonya Bannister (Lyn), and Keith Samuels (Temiko) of Seattle, WA.
Life presented challenges, and as a single mother, Redd became a fierce protector and provider for her children. Her love knew no bounds, and she often worked two jobs, pouring her energy into ensuring their well-being with unwavering dedication. Determined to build a secure future, she graduated from Tulsa Business School. This opened doors to a long and respected career in public service, beginning at the Tulsa Health Department and followed by an impressive 25-year tenure with the Inspections Department at City Hall. Later in life, she shared several years in marriage with George Redd.
Even after her first retirement, Redd’s commitment to service continued. She brought her skills and warmth to the role of Administrative Assistant for the Warden at the David L. Moss Criminal Justice Center, remaining dedicated until her second retirement.
More than anything else, Redd’s greatest joy and proudest accomplishment was her family. Supporting her children through every stage of life and wholeheartedly embracing her role as a beloved grandmother and great-grandmother filled her life with purpose and happiness. Her home near Chamberlain Park in north Tulsa was not just a house; it was a haven, a cherished gathering place filled with laughter, warmth, and unconditional love – not only for her own family but for countless neighborhood youth who affectionately knew her as a second mom. Redd’s unmistakable “feisty” spirit, her boundless generosity, and genuine warmth made an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know her. She was, quite simply, unforgettable.
Her love and vibrant spirit live on in the hearts of those she leaves behind: her five cherished children; her dear siblings, Patricia Hyche of Kent, WA, Albert “JJ” Jackson of San Francisco, CA, Aaron Jackson (Delores) of Loganville, GA, Terrial Jackson of Portland, OR, Clifford Jackson of Portland, OR, and Gerard Burns (Carla) of Jenks, OK; her adored grandchildren, Deiro, Trevis, Shamecio, Aiyana, Terrell, Capricia, Keith II, Keisha, Koriano, Khadijah, Jordan, Tatiana, Imani, Brooklyn, Andrej, Alex, and Christopher; a host of precious great-grandchildren; and numerous cousins and dear friends whose lives she brightened.
Redd is now reunited in eternal peace with those who went before her: her loving parents, Virginia, and Fletcher; her beloved siblings, Deborah Jackson, Shon Burns, and Bernard Jackson; and her precious grandsons, Taylor Bannister, and John Payne II.
Norma Ruth Redd’s light, though no longer present with us on earth, continues to shine brightly in the countless lives she touched. She will be profoundly missed and forever cherished.
Services for Ms. Norma Redd will be Thursday May 8, 2025 at 11:00 AM inside Biglow’s All Faiths Chapel in Tulsa, OK.
