In the peaceful hours of September 8, 2026, Viola Norman Forga, 93, left this life and entered into her glorious heavenly rest.

Viola was born September 14, 1932, to the late Will and Jane McNabb Norman on the hillside in Big Cove, delivered by her grandmother, Sallie McNabb. With those humble beginnings, and at only two pounds, she showed the strength, determination, and grit that were the markers of her entire life.

She loved telling stories about her beloved home, her Mommy and Poppy and meeting the love of her life Robert Ellis Forga with whom she shared fifty-three years of marriage before he went on before her to glory in 2001. Together the two of them built a family and life that was marked by working hard, loving completely, and giving generously.

Viola had a strong faith in Jesus and shared that with others whenever she could. Our grief at losing this amazing mother, grandmother, and friend is lightened only by the vision she shared with us of kissing the feet of her Savior and then seeing those who preceded her in death: the love of her life, Robert; her daughter Fredia; her son in love Jack Caldwell; grandson Jason Sutton; and great granddaughter Brielle Harrah. She was also preceded in death by her siblings- Frank, Marion, Price, Nathan, Harry, and infant brother Norman and sisters Louise Belt, and Georgia Shuler.

Left to continue her legacy are Margie Ann Sutton and husband Will of Maggie Valley; Susan Caldwell, Chris Forga, Teresa Forga, Robert Ellis Forga II, and Scott Forga of Waynesville; Robin Marshall and husband Jeff of Black Mountain; Audrey Forga of Asheville; and Donna Forga and husband Nick of Clyde; Twenty grandchildren-Denise Hannah, Bobby and Forrest Sutton; Michael Murray, Holly Murray; Jack, James, and John Caldwell, Allen Marshall, Elaine Harrah, Kim Kymbro, Andy Marshall; Joshua Stiles, Angela Pendergraft, Callista Kellas, Jackie Caldwell; Justin Woods; Ellis, Grace, and Zeb Forga; forty five great grandchildren- Riley Hannah, Henry and Ella Sutton, Samuel and Joanna Sutton, William Sutton; Julian Murray, Raina Murray, Ethan Dyer; Alicia and Alex Caldwell, Susannah Caldwell, Erik Caldwell, Jacob and Jack Caldwell; Charity, Liam, Evie, Everett, Zoe, Felicity, Emerson, Victoria, Jameson, and Georgianna Harrah; Aiden, Nathaniel, Ethan, and Nicholas Kymbro; Waylon and Memphis Pendergraft; Isaac, Braeden, and Joshua Stiles; Laila, Isabelle, Brooklynne and Charles Morris; Ashley, Ember, and Alex Caldwell; Loren Woods; and Huntlee Burch, (with two more on the way), and seven great, great grandchildren: Clay and Luke Hannah; Willow Murray; Grayson and Nathan Willard and Piper and Lucy Caldwell.

Visitation for Ms. Viola will take place on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m at Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.  Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at the Waynesville Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Phillip Wyatt officiating. Burial will be at the Horizon Mausoleum at Crawford Ray Memorial Gardens. Pall Bearers will be Jeff Stines, Ted Norman, Dwayne Hooks, Tommy Tucker, Jodie Wood, Tyler Howell, and Jeff Medford (honorary).

In lieu of flowers, please honor Viola’s legacy of giving by donating to Haywood Community College Foundation, 185 Freedlander Drive, Clyde, NC 28721 or Haywood County Schools Foundation, 1233 N. Main Street, Waynesville, NC 28786 or the KARE House, P.O Box 1392, Waynesville, NC 28786 or some other charitable organization of your choosing.

The care of Ms. Forga has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.