Mrs. Norma Jean Yarbrough Huffstetler departed this earthly life on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at CaroMont Regional Medical Center. She was born on October 14, 1939, in Salisbury, NC, to the late David Robert and Mary Belle Parks Yarbrough. She moved to Gastonia at a very early age and attended public school, graduating from Frank L. Ashley High School. She received her BA degree cum laude in organ performance, piano performance, and music education from Catawba College. She received her Master’s degree from Appalachian State University in music and elementary education.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her loving and faithful husband of 55 years, Brice Daniel Huffstetler, and by her sister, Doris Ann Yarbrough.
Norma Jean taught music education in the Gaston County School System for 33 years, the last 19 years at Belmont Central and Page Elementary Schools in Belmont. She served as Director of Music and Organist at First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Gastonia for 45 years. On October 2, 2013, the organ was dedicated to her “in grateful appreciation for your devoted service and invaluable musical contributions to this church. Your music, and its impact on us, will never die, because it has given glory to Him, to whom glory alone belongs.”
Norma Jean was a member of First Presbyterian Church before joining the First ARP Church in 1983. She was Registrar for the Bonclarken Music Conference for the ARP denomination for over 20 years. She was active in the community life of Gaston County as a member of Study Club, serving as President; the North Carolina Beta Rho chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, honorary teacher’s sorority, serving as president and other officers; Sharps and Flats Music Club; the Gaston Concert Association, serving as President, Board Member, and Student Matinee Chairman for years, seeing that all fifth graders in the Gaston County Schools were able to attend a professional concert each year. After moving to Covenant Village, she served as organist there for a number of years. She also enjoyed playing bridge in two bridge clubs and quilting.
Norma Jean is survived by her daughters, Sharon Elaine Huffstetler of Gastonia and Beverly Carol H. Savinsky and husband Chris of Cary, NC, and grandchildren, Carter Aaron and Bella Grace Savinsky.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 from 2:30pm to 4:00pm in the healthcare Assembly Room at Covenant Village. A celebration of life will be held at 1:30pm, on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at First ARP Church with Rev. Matt Kuiken officiating. The service will be live streamed on the church’s website, www.firstarpchurch.org <http://www.firstarpchurch.org/>. A reception will follow the service in the church fellowship hall. A private service of committal will be held for the family at Gaston Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Organ Repair Fund at First ARP Church, 317 S. Chester St., Gastonia, NC 28052; The Benevolent Fund at Covenant Village, 1351 Robinwood Rd., Gastonia, NC 28054; or Bonclarken Conference Center, 500 Pine Drive, Flat Rock, NC 28731.