A viewing will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28, at the Bethel A.M.E. Church, 200 S. Sixth St. in Richmond. The family will be on hand from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to receive guests.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 29, at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Wilkinson St., in Dayton, followed by a viewing at the church. The funeral service begins at 1 p.m., followed by interment at Woodland Cemetery, 118 Woodland Avenue in Dayton.
The Ross family is establishing “The Norma J. Ross Youth Foundation” to benefit deserving youth in the community. Contributions in Mrs. Ross’ honor may be sent to 85 Loop Road, Centerville, OH 45459.
“Norma has always been dedicated to family, children and her community. That really was what she was all about,” said cousin-in-law, Glenn Ross.
Mrs. Ross met her husband, Robert P. Ross, while both were in high school in Richmond, Ind. The family moved to Dayton in 1979, where Mr. Ross sold Buick and Mercedes-Benz models. GMC and Hummer brands were later added. Ross Motor Cars operates at 1 Loop Road in Centerville.
Mrs. Ross, in her first career, poured her passion into teaching for Dayton Public Schools. She also worked in the school district as a curriculum consultant. She was noted for being part of a team that established the first all-day kindergarten program here.
Mrs. Ross took over as president of the car dealership after the death of her husband in 1997. She was the only black woman in the world to own a Mercedes-Benz franchise and the only black woman to own a Buick and GMC franchise in Ohio. In this second career, Mrs. Ross played an integral role in growing the business with her daughter, Jenell and son, Robert. The dealership has been one of the Top 100 Companies in Dayton from 1999 to the present.
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