Obituaries

Mary Jo Norwood

Mary Jo Ferguson Norwood departed this life on Thursday, May 9, 2013, to be with her Lord and Savior in her heavenly home. Mary was born in Pattsville, Ark., (east of Hermitage) on Oct. 23, 1919. Mary was raised on a farm in Pattsville. She was the second of three daughters born to Daniel Earl and Verda Bea Trussell Ferguson. Her family attended Pattsville Baptist Church and she became a Christian as a teenager. She was baptized in a pond on the family farm. Her life always was a reflection of God's love for us. Mary graduated from Hermitage High School in 1938. After graduation she enrolled in the Baptist School of Nursing in Little Rock, Ark. After completing school, Mary went to work for Dr. Bill Hope in Fordyce, Ark. While working for Dr. Hope, she met the man of her dreams, Miles Ivan Norwood. They married in the home of H.E. and Quay Trussell on April 7, 1951, in Fordyce, Ark. Mary became a devoted wife, mother and friend to all who knew her. She had a fun-loving, friendly spirit and "never met a stranger." The Norwoods moved to Rogers in June of 1959; by this time they had three children and the fourth was born shortly thereafter. Mary ran a daycare in her home for many years and became known as "Granny" to many children in the Rogers area. After retirement, Mary and Miles liked to fish and fish they did. One of their favorite places was Millwood Lake in Ashdown. They left Rogers for a few years moving to Millwood Lake and fishing almost every day. Returning to Rogers in 2009, they moved into Innisfree Independent Living community. Mary was a member of and served the First Baptist Church of Rogers for over 50 years, working in the primary department and nursery for many years. Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Verta Bea Ferguson; her husband, Miles Norwood; a sister, Pauline Darling Gilliam; daughter, Noma Kay Norwood; and granddaughter, Tonya Sixkiller. She is survived by her daughter, Rita Duren and husband, Travis, of Cave Springs; sons, Thomas Wayne Norwood and wife, Joy, of Garfield, Daniel Miles Norwood and wife, Lorrie, of Vilonia; a sister, Peggy Ruth Murrell Raymer of Little Rock; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; plus a host of nieces, nephews and friends. The family wants to thank the staff of Washington Regional Hospice, Fayetteville, for your care of Mother. Your help enabled her to stay in her home until her passing. Very special thanks goes to our wonderful round-the-clock caregivers Magdalena, Monika and Linda for your kindness, compassionate care and love of our mother. Visitation will be 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 12, 2013, at Rollins Funeral Home in Rogers. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday at First Baptist Church (Eighth and Olive), officiated by the Rev. Tommy Hinson and the Rev. Tim Perkins. Entombment will follow in the Benton County Memorial Park Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church building fund (479-636-3451); the Gideons International (479-636-5487 or www.gideons.org); or Washington Regional Hospice, 34 W. Colt Square, Suite 1, Fayetteville, AR 72703 (479-463-7485). Online condolences may be made at www.rollinsfuneral.com.

Published May 11, 2013

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