The Reverend Norman Eugene Gossett, Sr. passed away quietly at home after a long battle with chronic heart disease. In his last days he will be remembered for his infectious large smile and the twinkle in his blue eyes. Norman was born in Rocky Mount on January 12, 1928. As the eighth child of nine children, it was a big change when his father moved the family to Lillington. As a boy, he worked for his father at his used furniture business. When his father became ill after a stroke, it was the young Norman called to care for him. The Reverend Gossett was charmed by his Smith daughters from up on the hill and married the love of his life sweetheart in 1945, and during his senior year in high school. Reverend Norman E. Gossett Sr. held master's degrees from Wake Forest Theological Seminary and North Carolina State University. He was an ordained minister in the Southern Baptist Convention, pastor of Edgemont Baptist Church and Crestview Baptist Church (from which he retired in 1997), both in Durham. He retired as a high school industrial arts instructor in the Wake County school system also in 1997. He continued to preach and conduct religious services at two churches in the Lake Gaston area through 2013, and served as president of his homeowner's association for two terms following the death of his wife. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Reverend Gossett was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Irma Smith Gossett, who died December 1, 2003. Reverend Gossett is survived by elder sister Edith Strickland of Rocky Mount, North Carolina and younger sister Evelyn Hazlick of Concord, California (the last two of nine siblings), daughters Lynda Gossett Adamson of Arlington, Virginia and Raney Gossett Rogers of West Jefferson, North Carolina, sons James Douglas Gossett of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Norman Eugene Gossett Jr. of Stem, North Carolina, and John Gossett of Carrboro, North Carolina. Reverend Gossett's greatest and proudest legacy includes eight grandchildren: Frank M. Adamson III of San Francisco, California, Gregory Trotter Adamson of Atlanta, Georgia, Sherrill Raney Gossett of Seattle, Washington, Norman Eugene Gossett III of Stem (children of Norman), Zachary Benjamin Gossett of Durham, North Carolina, Camille Willingham Gossett of Asheville, North Carolina (children of John), Elizabeth Raney Rogers of West Jefferson, and Rowan Gossett of Durham (daughter of Jim). His legacy shall live on for generations to come through his grandchildren and the fruits of his love, devotion, commitment and integrity. He will be missed and remembered fondly by friends and family alike. We salute a good man who cared more about others than himself, who found contentment and joy in serving his fellow men and women, and who rose from humble beginnings to admirable success through vision, determination, persistence and glorification of God our Creator and Sustainer.

A graveside service will be held 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at Harnett Memorial Park Cemetery with Dr. Lee Carter officiating.