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 at 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, 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 day care 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 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 (8th and Olive), officiated by Rev. Tommy Hinson and 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 Gideon's International (479-636-5487 or www.gideons.org) or Washington Regional Hospice, 34 West Colt Square, Suite #1, Fayetteville, 72703 ( 479-463-7485). Online condolences may be made at www.rollinsfuneral.com.

Published May 12, 2013

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