Norma Mae Fields Reed, a cherished mother, grandmother, sister and friend, departed this world peacefully on Thursday, January 4, 2024, at the age of 84. She was surrounded by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her sister, and nieces, who stood around her bedside, holding her hands as she took her final breath. In her last moments, she surprisingly opened her eyes and asked God to watch over her family and expressed her love for them before peacefully departing from this earthly life.

Norma was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on June, 24, 1939, to the union of the late Daniel Fields, Sr. and Callie Brown Fields. Norma was baptized and received Jesus as her Lord and Savior at the early age of 9.

In 1947, she joined Hughes United Methodist Church along with her family. Throughout her membership, Norma's dedication and passion for service was evident. She faithfully served as a certified Lay Leader, the Church Historian, President and active member of the Trustee Board, President and active member of the Usher Board, an active member of the United Methodist Women, former Sunday School Teacher, former Vacation Bible School Teacher, the founder of 100 Kids for Christ Choir, and an organizer of church pageants and numerous programs that fostered membership growth and enriched the lives of many young people within the community who

still remember her and appreciate her leadership. Additionally, Norma played a vital role in both past and recent renovations, contributing to the beautification of the Hughes United Methodist Church grounds. Her love for God and His people was genuine, and she was known for her unwavering commitment to order and doing what was ethically and biblically right.

Norma was a proud graduate of Capital Senior High School, where her passion for basketball blossomed. She was a member of the Capital High Ladies Basketball Team and remained an active member of the Capital High Alumni class of 1957 until her death.

In the year 1956, Norma married Claude Henry Chatman, Sr. and later married Luna Reed, Jr. In 1969. Luna embraced Norma's young children: Claude Henry Chatman, Jr., Anthony Gerald Chatman, Sr., Alice Marie Chatman Carter, Alphonse Dewayne Chatman, Daniel Carl Chatman, and Anita Renee Chatman. Later, Norma and Luna welcomed their first granddaughter, LaTasha (born to Alice), into their loving care and raised her as their own.

Around 1963, Norma obtained her cosmetology license and began her career as a cosmetologist. She was blessed to become the owner of her own hair salon called, Trippelett's, located on Scotland Avenue, near Southern University in the mid 60s. Soon after, Norma became one of the first Black cosmetologists in Baton Rouge to work in predominantly white salons, including Randy's, Mr. Marions and Rodrigue's Hair Salon, to name a few. She excelled as a skilled hair stylist, colorist, manicurist, pedicurist and massage therapist. Among Norma's esteemed clients were journalists, Andrea Clesi and Silvia Weatherspoon from WBRZ News Channel, as well as the former wife of football legend, Doug Williams, and numerous Governors' wives. She formed enduring friendships with many of her clients whom she loved dearly, and maintained those relationships until her passing.

Norma is celebrated for her non-judgmental character and her ability to love and forgive others just as God does. In her leisure, she found joy in cooking for her family, serving others, decorating, traveling, shopping, listening to inspiring sermons and uplifting gospel music, participating at the Charles R. Kelly Community Center, and visiting the casino on occasion.

Her gentle and caring nature touched the lives of countless people, and her memory will continue to inspire those who had the privilege of knowing her.

Norma was preceded in death by many relatives who she adored, including, her beloved husband, Luna Reed, Jr., her parents, Daniel and Callie B. Fields, her siblings, Tommie Lee Gaines, Elvira Smith, Ollie Fields, Sible Dorsey, Alice Sudds, Gregory Fields, Daniel Fields, Samuel Fields, and Alvin Fields. Her grandchildren, Brandon and Ebony Chatman, great-grandchild, Brandon K. Chatman, and her beloved daughter, Anita Renee Chatman.

She leaves to cherish her memory and continue her legacy: Her sister, Minda Moody of New Orleans, LA, her devoted children: Claude Henry Chatman, Jr. (Tanja) of Baton Rouge, LA, Anthony Gerald Chatman, Sr. (Rita) of Slidell, LA, Alice Marie Carter, of Baton Rouge, LA, Alphonse Dewayne Chatman, of Baton Rouge, LA, and Daniel Carl Chatman of Houston, TX,

Her beloved grandchildren: LaTasha Chatman Johnson (Adam), Shyrone Chatman, LaKisha Chatman, Anthony Chatman, Jr., Marcus Chatman, Courtney Chatman Elzey (Durund), Keia Chatman, Sampson Carter, Gavin Chatman, Garett Chatman, Torey Hawkins, Cherish Chatman, Terrell Chatman, and Cierra Chatman, Her Great-Grandchildren: Jordan Chatman, Brendon Chatman, Brian Chatman, Bria Chatman, Brittney Chatman, Amber Chatman, Aryn Chatman, Ryan Chatman, Hannah Chatman, Micah Chatman, Durund Elzey, Jr., Madison Elzey, Connor Chatman, Caleb Chatman, Kaiden Washington, Zara Chatman, Israel Chatman, Cailyn Chatman, and Camille Chatman. Her Great-Great Grandchildren: Brandon Chatman, Jr., Kye'leigh Price Chatman, Lei'lani Chatman Jarred Chatman, Jayceon Chatman, Egypt Chatman, Kyla Chatman, Chance Chatman and Jewel Chatman.

Norma is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and cherished friends whom she held dear to her heart. Additionally, she is remembered fondly by several god-children, notably her first, Bonita Hawkins Wilson of Slidell, LA. She leaves behind treasured memories with her close friends Sadie Simms, Betty LeDuff, Janelle Kado, Thelma Shelmire, Gwendolyn Miller and Julia Boyce.