GASTON - Norma Kay Kaiser, 69, passed away, Thursday, April 28, 2011, at home after a long and courageous nine year battle with cancer. She was born March 12, 1942, in Jamestown, Tennessee, the daughter of Ernest and Wilma (Gunter) Winningham. She never forgot her family heritage or where she came from. She enjoyed taking trips back, each season, to be "recertified". She grew up in the Gaston area and graduated from Harrison Township High School. She cherished her friendship with her old "HHS Buddies", Gloria Ryan, Rita Sayre, Alice Reed, Jane Ellen Niccum, Carolyn Duckworth, and Marilyn Bessler, that lasted sixty years. Norma loved traveling, music, gardening, decorating, holidays, friends, and family. She loved LIFE. Norma was the beloved wife of James E. "Tiny" Kaiser, whom she married on February 12, 1966 in St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Other survivors include a sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Bill Long, Gaston; a brother, James J. Winningham (wife, Cindy), Muncie; a sister, Hazel M. Grayson, Albany; three nieces, Lori A. Armantrout, Gaston, Lisa R. Johnson (husband, Curt), Bamburg, Germany, Shannon Kay Dettwiler, Toronto, Canada; a special Lori #2, Lori Newell; three nephews, Greg Long (wife, Kim) Muncie, Dave Winningham (wife, Diana), Muncie, James E. Grayson, Albany; a brother-in-law, Fred Kaiser (wife, Beth) Muncie; a sister-in-law, Sue Kaiser, Muncie; also surviving are many more loving nieces, great nieces, nephews, and great nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, William F. Drumm; a sister, Geraldine Winningham; a brother, Ralph Gene Winningham; and a niece, Rebecca L. Long. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 2, 2011, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church with Father Dennis Goth officiating. Burial will follow in Elm Ridge Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m., Sunday, May 1, 2011 at The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Washington Street Chapel. It was Kay's desire to honor, acknowledge, and thank three local community resources, the staff and friends at Elmcroft of Muncie, Hospice, and The Cancer Center (especially Dr. Fisher). In lieu of flowers friends may wish to make memorials to these organizations, c/o BMH Foundation, 2401 W. University Ave., Muncie, IN 47303. -- Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "Holy sh** - what a ride!"