Obituary: Norman Ray Aldridge, December 12, 2011 Contributed by Brenda Scott Hines Feb 2015 *********************************************************************** The Observer/Enterprise, Coke County, TX - Friday, December 16, 2011 Norman Ray Aldridge, 65, won his victory over his battle with cancer on December 12, 2011, a journey he referred to as a "bump in the road." He was surrounded by his family and friends. He was born on June 9, 1946, to Warren and Marion (Guess) Aldridge in San Angelo, Texas. He spent his childhood in the El Paso gas camps of Jal, New Mexico. On January 22, 1966, he married the love of his life, Leta Robertson in Robert Lee, Texas. After several years, he answered the call of God into the ministry and together they pastored Emmanuel Pentecostal Church and the town of Robert Lee, Texas, for more than thirty years. He also worked for Ivey Motor Company for most of those years as the Service Manager. To know Ray was to love him; he left a great legacy and big shoes to fill. His faith never waned. In his own words, "Cancer, you did not create me and you will not destroy me." Ray is survived by his wife of the home, Leta Faye Robertson Aldridge; two daughters and their spouses, Kristi and Tim Buddin and Karla and Brian Hamrick all of Robert Lee; one son and his wife, William and Danielle Aldridge of Staford, Virginia; eight grandchildren, Hanna and Hunter Hamrick, Jaden Ray Aldridge, Casey Scruggs, and Bruce Buddin all of Robert Lee, Breanna, Jasmine, and Brandon Aldridge all of Staford, Virginia; four brothers and their spouses, Don and Vicki Aldridge of Lewisville, Texas, Martin and Janice Aldridge of Midland, Texas, Andy and Marcia Aldridge of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Stephen and Karla Aldridge of Jal, New Mexico; four brothers-in-law and their spouses, James and Nell Robertson of Brownfield, Texas, Harold and Mary Robertson of Grand Prairie, Texas, Douglas and Peggy Robertson of Brownwood, Texas, and Doyle and Sandy Robertson of Abilene, Texas. He is also survived by his church family, many close friends, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Visitation was held all day Wednesday and Thursday, December 14 and 15, 2011, at the funeral home with the family present from 6 pm to 8pm Thursday. Funeral service will be held at 2 pm on Friday, December 16, 2011, at Robert Lee Baptist Church with Terry Pugh, Steve Carrington, Nathan Carrington, and Danny White officiating. Burial will follow in Robert Lee Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Colby Eubanks, Vaughn Howard, Martin Aldridge, Don Aldridge, Andy Aldridge, Stephen Aldridge, Tony Smith, and Brantley Robertson. Services are under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home. The family would like to thank the staff at Vistacare Hospice, Robert Lee Care Center, the doctors and staff at Shannon Medical Center, and a special thank you to Ray's far reaching community of friends for all of their support. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Robert Lee Fire Department, Robert Lee Care Center, Robert Lee Ambulance Service, or the building fund for Emmanuel Pentecostal Church. *************************** Permission granted by The Observer/Enterprise for publication in the Coke County TXGenWeb and/or the Coke County Archives of the USGenWeb. Copyright. All rights reserved.