He was the last son and fifth child born to Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Mildred Louise
           Simmons Wilkerson on March 11, 1963 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Both parents preceded
           him in death, as well as one sister Daisy Laverne.

              Norman received his early schooling in the Broward County School District, Fort
           Lauderdale. As a high school student, it was clear that Norman was developing a great
           love for the game of tennis which was to become a lifelong passion. He excelled in the
           game and became captain of the team. He was graduated from Stranahan High School
           in 1981.

              He matriculated at Florida A. & M. University, and earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s
           Degree (1985 and 1987 respectively) in Business Administration. While at Florida A. & M.,
           Norman was active in student activities and was a member of the Student Government
           Association. Upsilon Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. brought the “Tenacious
           21” into Greek Land with #16 “Yogi Bear” (Norman), his good friends Rufus Curry #7 and
           Jimmy Witherspoon #1 in the Fall of 1985. Norman’s sibling Omega brother Charles was
           present to assist his arrival into the Omega brotherhood.

              Above all of his other campus commitments, Norman’s tennis stood in the forefront of
           his greatest passion while attending FAMU. He was the captain of the tennis team. He
           commanded the courts as a Court Master and stood out prominently among the players.
           His game was well respected by his coaches and team mates alike. When the assistant
           coach could not conduct a tennis camp in Atlanta, he recommended Norman as a suitable
           replacement. It was probably this single most act, along with the many years of
           preparation in the tennis arena that placed Norman in the position that propelled him into
           his life work as tennis pro.

              Norman became the Director and Head Tennis Pro of Sugar Creek Tennis Center. He
           also was the founder of the very successful Norman Wilkerson Tennis Academy and the
           metro Atlanta area fell in love with him.

              Never was there a doubt as to what Norman’s chosen career would be in life and
           what his contributions would be to the world. Norman’s undaunted love and dedication to
           the game of tennis were the deciding factors for his life work. For twenty four years, as
           a Tennis Professional, he coached professionals, amateurs, adults and juniors as well as
           served as the private coach for Division I NCAA college students. Tennis aspirants came
           to him from far and wide, for the training and honing of their talents and skills; thousands
           of court masters throughout the United States. He instilled in them a spirit of love,
           respect and fair play. He monitored and directed their development with the keen,
           discerning eyes of the professional that he was. He made sure that each life he touched
           represented his desire to see them succeed. For the past two years he served as Director
           of the Tennis Pro Junior Development Program for the City of Atlanta at Washington Park.

              It is indeed gratifying to note that many of his students have become successful in
           their own rights. Some chose to embark on careers as court masters on the tennis
           circuits. Many others have become college tennis coaches, and tennis professionals. Still
           others are satisfied with the personal growth and discipline that tennis affords them in
           their personal lives.

              Norman’s professional life has included his memberships in various tennis associations.
           He was a Board Member and Head of Junior Development for the American Tennis
           Association from 1999 to 2004. Other memberships included his active support of the
           United States Tennis Association, the Coan Tennis Association, and the Rainbow Tennis
           Association.

              The Greatest Coach of life and death has now called Norman into service in that great
            beyond. His last and greatest game has been played. His advice and play-by-play
           instructions to his students have been immortalized and etched in their minds for as long
           as they live. Now he leaves us to celebrate his life while those loved ones who have gone
           on before, extend welcoming embraces. Norman will be remembered in the hearts of his
           brothers and sisters Nathaniel (LaKay) and Charles; Linda and Tracye; brother-in-law
           George; aunts Dr. Dorothy Simmons Miller and Elouise Simmons; cousins David, Monta,
           Raynard, Wanda, Lisa, and Norman; special friends Rufus Curry, Jr., Jimmy Witherspoon,
           and Lori Brown; nieces, nephews, many other friends, and professional associates.