Norman Kellum Obituary – New Bern, NC

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Norman Bryant Kellum, Jr., handed away peacefully at his dwelling on Could 11, 2026, on the age of 88, surrounded by the household he liked so deeply. Although he lived a life marked by skilled distinction, civic management, and numerous accolades, those that knew him finest understood that his proudest position was by no means lawyer, veteran, philanthropist, or group chief. It was husband, father, and grandfather. He mentioned, “Of all God’s blessings to any man or girl, nothing surpasses love for household,” and no phrases higher captured the best way he lived his life.

Born on August 12, 1937, in Maysville, North Carolina, Norman was the primary son and second youngster of Norman Bryant Kellum, Sr. and Dollie Mallard Kellum. His upbringing was humble, rooted in onerous work, religion, and resilience. In 1939, the household moved to New Bern, the place his father labored as Superintendent of Thomason Plywood Mill. The household lived modestly within the upstairs residence of a house situated the place Tryon Palace now stands at the moment. Whilst a younger boy, Norman possessed the present that might outline a lot of his life: the flexibility to attach with folks. Friendships fashioned throughout these early years in downtown New Bern would final a lifetime.

After a quick transfer to South Carolina, the Kellum household returned completely to New Bern in 1951, the place his father based the N.B. Kellum Logging Firm. Norman spent his highschool and school summers working within the log woods, the place days started earlier than dawn and ended after lengthy hours in brutal warmth and exhausting situations. He typically mentioned it was there, deep within the woods beside hardworking males, that he realized the self-discipline, grit, and willpower that carried him all through his life. These tough days instilled not solely a outstanding work ethic, but additionally a deep respect for many who labored tirelessly to offer for his or her households. That understanding would later form the compassionate advocate he turned within the courtroom.

Norman graduated from New Bern Excessive College in 1955, the place he excelled each academically and socially. He served as Scholar Physique President, sang within the A Cappella Choir, performed soccer and baseball, attended Boys State, and was voted “Most In style” by his senior class. But regardless of his many accomplishments, he remained grounded and fiercely loyal to the friendships and group that helped form him. A long time later, when New Bern Excessive College soccer groups gained state championships, Norman and Kellum Legislation Agency ensured that gamers acquired championship rings to commemorate their achievements—an act that mirrored each his generosity and enduring love for his alma mater.

After highschool, Norman attended Wake Forest School, now College, starting his research whereas the school was nonetheless situated within the city of Wake Forest. His love for Wake Forest would turn out to be one of many nice lifelong passions of his life. At Wake, he joined Kappa Alpha Order and took part in ROTC, incomes a fee as a Second Lieutenant in the US Military Reserve. Upon graduating, Norman started energetic obligation army service in the US Military. He served with the famed one hundred and first Airborne Division earlier than later finishing Military Intelligence College in Baltimore. The self-discipline, braveness, and management demanded by army service turned everlasting hallmarks of his character. Although he not often sought recognition for his service, he carried immense satisfaction in having served his nation.

Following energetic obligation, Norman labored promoting Bibles and dictionaries door-to-door for the Southwestern Firm to place himself via legislation faculty debt-free. That journey—from the log woods to army service to legislation faculty—was one constructed fully via perseverance, sacrifice, and willpower. Nothing was handed to him, and he by no means forgot the place he got here from. After graduating from Wake Forest legislation faculty and passing the North Carolina Bar, Norman clerked for 2 North Carolina Supreme Court docket justices earlier than returning dwelling to New Bern to start working towards legislation. In 1968, he fashioned the partnership that might ultimately turn out to be Kellum Legislation Agency, dedicating greater than sixty years to the authorized career.

For over three a long time, Norman established himself as one of many most revered trial attorneys in North Carolina. He possessed a uncommon capacity to take essentially the most difficult authorized points and clarify them with readability and humanity in order that anybody within the courtroom might perceive. Colleagues typically remarked that he was among the many most interesting trial attorneys they’d ever witnessed. All through his profession, Norman acquired quite a few honors recognizing his excellence and management inside the authorized career. He was acknowledged as one of many Finest Attorneys in America, named a North Carolina Tremendous Lawyer, honored among the many High 100 Trial Attorneys by the American Trial Attorneys Affiliation, served as President of the American Board of Trial Advocates for Japanese North Carolina, and served as President of the Japanese North Carolina Inn of Court docket. He additionally acquired the distinguished AV ranking from Martindale-Hubbell, reflecting the very best degree {of professional} excellence and moral requirements as judged by his friends.

But, what actually distinguished Norman was not merely his talent, however his compassion. He believed deeply that the legislation existed to guard folks. He fought tirelessly for purchasers who typically felt unvoiced, ignored, or overwhelmed. Whether or not representing the injured, the accused, or the weak, he approached every case with fierce advocacy, meticulous preparation, unwavering integrity, and real empathy. At Kellum Legislation Agency, he trademarked the phrase, “We’re with you all the best way,” a dedication that mirrored not solely the philosophy of the agency, however the best way Norman lived his life. Purchasers have been by no means merely instances to him; they have been folks deserving dignity, respect, and somebody keen to face beside them.

However, his skilled accomplishments alone by no means outlined him. In 1967, on a blind date organized by pricey mates John and Karen Mason, Norman met the love of his life, Ruth Taylor. What started with a easy introduction blossomed right into a outstanding marriage that might span fifty-seven years and turn out to be the muse of his best joys. Collectively they constructed a house stuffed with love, laughter, religion, storytelling, and a devotion to household. To the group, Norman was an completed lawyer, philanthropist, church deacon, and civic chief. To his daughters, nonetheless, he was merely Dad. He was the daddy who bandaged scraped knees, taught them to drive, tossed them into the ocean waves, helped with homework, defined the traditions of ACC basketball and soccer, launched them to seaside music, and hugged them tightly throughout life’s hardest moments.

His position as grandfather additionally introduced him immeasurable pleasure. His granddaughters have been among the many best blessings of his life, and he cherished each second spent with them. The teachings he taught, the tales he shared, and the love he gave will stay with them eternally.

Norman’s dedication to serving others prolonged far past the courtroom. He served for greater than twenty years on the Board of Administrators of CarolinaEast Well being System and later as Chairman. Throughout his management, CarolinaEast partnered with UNC Well being Care and the Lineberger Most cancers Middle to deliver superior most cancers therapy choices to jap North Carolina. Few accomplishments introduced him higher satisfaction than serving to guarantee households in his group might obtain life-saving care nearer to dwelling.

His devotion to Wake Forest College remained steadfast all through his life. He gave generously of each his time and assets to the college and particularly to Wake Forest Legislation College. Scholarships bearing his identify proceed to help future generations of scholars, and the lads’s locker room within the Jesse Haddock Golf Home stands as a tribute to his enduring loyalty and generosity. In 1993, Wake Forest Legislation College honored Norman with its Alumni Award for Excellent Service to the College and the Authorized Career. In 2014, Wake Forest College introduced him with its Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of his “demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and confirmed work ethic by dedicating a lot of his profession to being a group champion of schooling, well being care, authorized skilled improvement, and the armed providers.”

These honors mirrored the influence of his life, however his true legacy can’t be measured by awards, titles, or accolades. His legacy lives within the folks he liked, the lives he modified, the younger attorneys he mentored, the purchasers he defended, the group he strengthened, and the household he cherished above all else. Norman embodied humility, perseverance, generosity, patriotism, integrity, and religion. He proved that greatness shouldn’t be present in energy or recognition, however in service to others and steadfast devotion to household. From humble beginnings in jap North Carolina, via army service, the courtroom, civic management, and fatherhood, he constructed a life outlined not by what he gained, however by what he gave away.

Norman is survived by his beloved spouse of 57 years, Ruth Taylor Kellum; daughters Beth Spano (Dan) and Catherine Keenhold (Craig); granddaughters Matteson Keenhold, Kate Keenhold, and Sophia Spano; and a big prolonged household of family members, nieces, nephews, and pricey lifelong mates.

Although his passing leaves an immeasurable void, the instance he set and the love he poured into others will proceed for generations. His was a life totally lived, deeply significant, and terribly nicely liked.

A funeral service with army honors might be held on Friday, Could 15, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 239 Center Avenue, New Bern, NC 28560. A non-public interment at Greenleaf Memorial Park might be held at a later date.

Flowers might be accepted, or memorial contributions could also be made to the CarolinaEast Basis, 2007B Neuse Blvd., New Bern, NC 28560.

Cotten Funeral House & Crematory is honored to serve the household and mates of Norman Bryant Kellum, Jr.

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