Norma Jean Bales

Norma Jean (Hanshew) Bales, 77, of Salem, Va., went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Norma was born in Portsmouth, Va., to the late Lorin Benton and Ella Mae Hanshew on Monday, February 28, 1949. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers, Thomas Daniel Hanshew and Michael Hanshew. Norma was a devoted member of Catawba United Methodist Church, where she found faith and community alongside her church family. She retired from the City of Salem Public Schools as a bus driver, having filled that role with care and immense dedication. She and her husband, Robert, were married for 57 years, and Norma loved her family deeply. She fulfilled her roles as a wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend with kindness and joy that touched everyone around her. Norma will be dearly missed, most of all by her beloved family. Left to cherish Norma’s memory are her husband of 57 years, Robert H. Bales; daughter, Lisa Bales Wooldridge; sister, Elaine Kegley; grandchildren, Colby Wooldridge (Jasmine Myers) and Cadyn Wooldridge; several nieces and nephews; and many special friends who became family. A service will be held in remembrance of Norma at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, May 4th, 2026, in the chapel of John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, with Pastor Ben Lockhart officiating. A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until the hour of the service. A committal will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5th, 2026, at Bethany United Methodist Church Cemetery, located at 2556 Birch Grove Road in Ceres, Va. Norma’s family would like to extend their sincerest thanks to the doctors and nurses at Lewis-Gale CICU for their care, comfort, and dedication during such a difficult time. Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.