Norma Jean Vaughn (81) was born to John and Ruby Edwards on January 19, 1942, in Watonga, Oklahoma. The church was integral to the Edwards family, and like her other nine siblings, Norma was baptized at a young age at Ebenezer Apostolic Church in Madera.
As a young lady, Norma enjoyed shadowing her mother in the kitchen. She learned how to cook and bake, which became her signature pastime. Norma attended Pershing Elementary School and Thomas Jefferson Junior High School before graduating from Madera Union High School in 1960. Following graduation, she attended Fresno City College.