Mr. Joe L. Norwood

Joe Louis Norwood was born on January 20, 1942 in Eutaw, Alabama to the late Roosevelt and Ella (Fulgham) Norwood. He received his early education in both West Virginia and Ohio; graduating from Roosevelt High School (Dayton, OH) in 1959. He enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduation and was honorably discharged in 1962.

As a young man, he accepted Christ as his Savior at Mt. Olive Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Rev. D.W. McFarland, Sr. While at Mt. Olive, he married the love of his life, Betty Yancey. Joe served faithfully as a deacon, drove the church van, started the church’s “tape ministry” and did anything else that may have been needed. He later joined and served the Lord at New Birth Baptist Church & Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church.

He was employed at both General Motors’ Delco Moraine Division & Delphi Automotive where he was one of the first and few African-Americans to be promoted to supervisor. He retired from GM as an engineer in March of 1994, after many years of faithful service.

Joe was an avid fisherman, handy-man and gardener who would joyfully bring fresh produce to any and everyone. He knew no stranger and would strike up a conversation anywhere and would not miss an opportunity to talk about the Lord. He truly loved his family, especially his granddaughters.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roosevelt and Ella Norwood; brothers, Willie and Johnnie Norwood; sisters, Annie Kirksey, Janie Gardner and Bertha Hairston, and many other relatives. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of fifty-six years, Betty; 2 daughters, Tracey Norwood and Angela (Jerrett) Gibbons; 2 granddaughters, Whitney and Maleah Gibbons, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.