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NATCHEZ — Natchez lost a native son on Nov. 14, when Aubrey Bernell “B.J.” Norman Jr. died. He was 41.

Born and raised in Natchez to Aubrey Bernell Norman Sr. and Shirley Bland Norman, Norman graduated from Natchez High School in 2001 and was elected Mr. Natchez High.

“He was a Natchez boy through and through. He was so proud of his hometown. He always told people how he was from Natchez,” said his former wife, Ashleigh Crosby Norman. The pair ended their marriage about a year ago but remained best friends and co-parented their three children — Aubrey III, 16, and 10-year-old twins, Alton and Ava.

Norman, who lived in Ridgeland, was known in the restaurant community in Jackson as a celebrity chef. During his young career, he opened and operated several restaurants, including the Downtown Cafe in 2010. Normal also hosted a cooking segment on Jackson’s Fox 40.

After attending Hinds Community College and Jackson State University, where he studied business, Norman went to work as a night auditor at the Marriott. He learned every aspect of that business, Ashleigh said, and went to work at the popular upscale Steam Room Grill.

“The owners took a liking to him and he worked as a bartender and server and became assistant manager. He learned everything from the front of the house to the back of the house,” she said.

The two got married in 2007, which is when Norman began developing his vision of opening a restaurant.

“That was the beginning of his entrepreneurship journey. He opened Downtown Cafe in 2010 and went on to open several restaurants,” she said.

However, Norman had a health setback in 2021 when he suffered a stroke.

“He suffered his first stroke in 2021 and was left with some physical impairments, but he was super positive,” Ashleigh said. “He was unable to do all of his catering, but he learned to pivot and turned Downtown Cafe into a consulting company and helped numerous businesses, particularly small Black businesses. He was an expert. He did everything from setting up payment systems to training staff.”

In all, Norman is credited with helping open 20 restaurants in Mississippi.

In fact, Norman was named recently to the Top 50 under 50 of Mississippi’s Urban Elite Professionals. He was to be presented that honor at a gala on Jan. 25, 2025.

Norman was at his oldest son’s basketball game on Nov. 5 when he suffered a seizure from which he did not recover. He died on Nov. 14.

“He loved his children. He did not miss a game or a match or a practice. He loved to cook, and our children get that from him. He was so proud of everything they did. He loved to watch people operate in their craft. He said people should figure out how they can use that and share it with the world,” Ashlee said. “He was a blessing to us all and he will be so, so missed.

Family visitation for Norman is Tuesday from 5 to 6 p.m. at Marshall Funeral Home, 225 Pilgrim Blvd., Natchez. A Good Times and Great Memories social hour will be held on Tuesday beginning at 7 p.m. at Doll Baby’s, 6 Saint Catherine St.

A celebration of life is Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Pilgrim Baptist Church with reserved seating for the Natchez High School Class of 2001.

Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery. A repast will follow at Pilgrim Baptist Church.