Norman Jessie Ashley
Norman Jessie Ashley, 80, passed away peacefully on Oct. 1, 2024.
A multi-talented man, Norman could fix a car, build a home and repair anything that was broken. He often shared his talents with friends and family, taking joy in helping others with whatever task they might have been struggling with.
Norman was best known as the founder and owner of Ashley's U.S. Lock and Security in Martinsville, Va. He was a locksmith for half a century, serving thousands of customers from the Martinsville and Danville areas. It wasn't unusual for him to be awakened in the middle of the night by someone in need of help, and he gladly assisted regardless of the time or distance.
Prior to building his own business, Norman worked for a nuclear power plant in Ohio and a mechanic for Ford Motor Co. He also owned Ashley's Apartments and Ashley's Monuments in Martinsville.
Norman was born on Nov. 28, 1943, at Bassett Hospital and was a graduate of Bassett High School.
He is survived by Lola Ashley, his loving wife, who would have celebrated 46 years on December 20; son Ken Ashley (Denise) of Bassett; son Mark Ashley of Bassett; daughter Barbara Wren (David) of North Charleston, S.C.; and daughter Catherine Cardwell (Phillip) of Martinsville.
Norman is also survived by brothers Curtis Ashley (Rita); Herman Ashley (Davanna); and Wayne Ashley (Ada); sisters Hattie Campbell (Bob) and Layne Lusk (Ronnie); brother-in-law Rudy Englert (Sonja); sister-in-law Waltraud Dombrowski (Robert); 21 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his parents, Presley and Christine Ashley; his first wife, Doris Jean Gilley Ashley; brothers Hubert Ashley (Shirley) and Paul Ashley (Ruby); sister Mary Wright (James); brother-in-law Helmut Englert (Helga); and sister-in-law Charlotte Siegler (Gottlieb).
Norman loved his yellow, 1937 Chevy truck and attended car shows and street rod conventions throughout the Southeast to display his vintage automobile.
He was a member of Old Center Primitive Baptist Church in Bassett; the Associated Locksmiths of America; and the Pee Dee Street Rod Car Club. Members of Pee Dee Street Rod Car Club are encouraged to drive their cars to the visitation and funeral.
In his retirement, Norman enjoyed collecting items, attending auctions and spending time with his family and friends.
The family will receive friends on Friday, October 4, 2024, at Bassett Funeral Service Chapel from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at Bassett Funeral Service Chapel at 11:00am with Pastor Curtis Ashley and Pastor A.C. Palmer. A burial will take place immediately after the service at Old Center Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. The family invites friends to join them after all services at Charity Freewill Baptist Church, 415 Orchard Drive, Bassett, Virginia 24055.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Novant Health Forsythe Medical Center for their care and at Mount Airy Livestock Exchange, where a nurse was the first to assist Norman and hundreds of attendees stopped what they were doing to pray for Norman's healing
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.bassettfuneralservice.com. Bassett Funeral Service is serving the Ashley family.
