Norma Jean Gafford

Norma Jean Gafford, age 80, a Cape Coral, Florida resident since 1981, formerly of Chardon, OH, passed away Tuesday, January 14, 2025, in Fort Myers, Florida.  She was born April 19, 1944, in Buffalo, New York, the only child of Emil and Alice (Zimpfer) Giese, now deceased.

Norma was one of Jehovah's Witnesses faithfully for over 65 years.  She found great joy in helping others come to know Jehovah. Norma was a devoted wife and loving mother.  She adored her 15 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.  Norma loved to laugh and was good at finding humor in life.  She loved to dance and have fun.  She was creative and artistic.

She is survived by four children, Sharla Ostrom and her husband Todd of Derby, VT, Jeff Gafford and his significant other Krista Jeffries of Cape Coral, FL, Zach Gafford and his fiancé Taylor Bisbe of Cape Coral and Greg Gafford and wife Heidi of Naples; a daughter-in-law, Kerry Gafford Mannella of Cape Coral; fifteen grandchildren, Megan, Caleb, Lauren, Jada (and husband Kolin), Cassidy, Cameron, Keirsten, Brandon (and wife Morgan), Tyler, Logan, Jacob, Sophia, Emma, Jade, and Payton; as well as two great grandchildren, Adalynn and Kaci.

In addition to her parents, Norma was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Tommie L. Gafford in 2018 and her oldest son, Tommie G. Gafford in 2016.

Celebration of Life services for Norma Gafford are pending.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.