Early Life and Education
Willie Ray “Smokie” Norful Jr. was born on October 31, 1975, in Little Rock, Arkansas, and is the eldest son of Rev. Willie Ray Norful Sr. and his wife, Teresa. He spent his early childhood in Oklahoma before his family settled in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where he attended high school and honed his musical talents by playing piano and singing in church. After graduation, Norful earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
Education and Theological Training
After college, Norful pursued formal theological studies in Illinois, attending Trinity International University and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary to earn a Master of Divinity degree. During this period, he also worked as a history teacher in Pine Bluff and later in Evanston, Illinois. In 1997, he was ordained as a minister and served under his father at St. John AME Church in Pine Bluff, gaining experience as a youth pastor and minister of music.
Music Career and Achievements
Norful launched his professional music career in 2002 with the album “I Need You Now,” whose title track became a defining gospel hit and achieved Gold certification. He followed up with “Nothing Without You” in 2004, which won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. In the ensuing years, he released several other successful albums showcasing his smooth tenor vocals and piano prowess. Norful won a second Grammy Award in 2015 for the song “No Greater Love,” and he has received numerous other honors, including multiple Stellar and Dove Awards. He even performed at the White House in 2005 during a Black Music Month celebration, reflecting his prominence in gospel music.
Ministry and Pastoral Work
Even as his music career soared, Norful remained dedicated to ministry. He founded Victory Cathedral Worship Center in Bolingbrook, Illinois, in 2005, which quickly grew into a large multicultural congregation and opened a second campus in Chicago by 2008. He continues to serve as senior pastor at Victory Cathedral. In 2017, Norful further extended his outreach by authoring an inspirational book titled “Take the Lid Off,” sharing lessons from his faith journey.
Business Ventures and Entrepreneurship
Outside of music and ministry, Norful has pursued entrepreneurial endeavors. In 2009, he launched his own record label, Tre’Myles Music (named after his sons), to release his projects independently. He and his wife have also invested in real estate and have ventures in the entertainment and publishing industries.
Personal Life
He is married to Carla, a former schoolteacher and social worker, with whom he has three children—two sons, Tré and Ashton, and a daughter, Ashley. The family resides in the Chicago area. Norful often cites his faith-filled upbringing and family support as keys to his continued success.
Real Estate
In January 2004, Smokie and Carla paid $455,000 for a home in Naperville, Illinois. Today this home is worth around $800,000.
