W.T. Shumake & Daughters

Norma Jean Summers Kirkpatrick, 76, of Louisville died Saturday, June 18, 2022 at home.

Visitation 6-8 Friday, June 24, 2022 at Community Missionary Baptist Church 4909 E. Indian Trail. Funeral 11am Saturday June 25, 2022 at her church. Burial Monday 10am at Evergreen Cemetery.


Norma Jean Summers Kirkpatrick was born on Sunday, March 24, 1946, in Louisville, Kentucky, to James Summers and Anna Tichnor Summers. There were ten children in her family, and Norma was in the middle of the ten. She was educated in the Jefferson County Public Schools System. Shortly after graduating from Seneca High School, Norma found her true love, Danny Kirkpatrick, and they got married. Over a period of time, they became the proud parents of four daughters.



She was employed by JCPS as a Head Start teacher. Norma may not have earned a degree in childhood education from a higher education institution, but God granted her an everlasting license for life in providing for and training children. She was the epitome of motherhood, “grannyship”, great-grand, and overall mother to all who came into her home and were in her community.



Norma Jean united with Community Missionary Baptist Church on January 25, 1976, and began working as the church’s Nursery Director/Overseer. She never took a break from working with the children because in the summer, she taught Vacation Bible School every year. Besides her dedicated responsibilities at church some may wonder if she wore hats other than just at church. The answer is, “Yes! Norma wore many more hats.” She was the neighborhood taxi, the Uber for family and friends, the Neighborhood Watch Committee, the nurse/doctor for all skinned knees, the sweet Kool-Aid maker for the neighborhood, and many other caring and giving roles. She was also known for her delicious potato salad, finger licking chicken and dressing; and the preparer of beanie weenies for the “little ones” and big ones too.


When Norma took some time for herself every once in a while, she enjoyed going to play bingo and watching her favorite television shows. She didn’t do much relaxing because she always had someone’s child or children in her care.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Danny, daughter Aretha Brown and many siblings. On Saturday, June 18, 2022, God called His Angel, Norma Jean Summers Kirkpatrick, to be with Him. She leaves to cherish many precious memories of her: three daughters, Cecilia Sanders (Juan), Donna Alexander (Adarin), and Antonia Thurman (Rick); eight grandchildren, Kerry Porter, Adrianna Alexander, Jacari Alexander, Antonio Kirkpatrick, Tiara Tucker, Javon Brown, Kendrick Brown, Jacobly Kirkpatrick; six great-grandchildren, Maycee Porter, Josiah Porter, Kalia Swann, Kynyatta Swann, Malakai Porter, and Kaiden Brown; siblings, Margaret Summers and Wayne Summers; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.