Born in Kingsport, TN on February 21, 1932 and a graduate of Douglass High School, she was a homemaker raising five children. She started the integration movement in Kingsport with her daughter Marva integrating the first school. She was a Cub Scout den mother, and always had an interest in working with youth. She was “adopted mother” to many, and longtime active member of the Bethel A.M.E. Zion Church in Kingsport, before relocating to Chattanooga in 1982. She was a member of the following churches in Chattanooga: the Thompkins Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, the New Covenant Fellowship Church and the Transforming Faith Baptist Church.
She enjoyed people, always had a smile and was loved by many.
She was preceded in death by her husband, T.C. Norwood, Sr.; her parents Jack and Lena Burnette; brother, Winford Burnette; and sisters, Phyllis Jackson, Annette Johnson and Jacqueline Hicks.
She is survived by her five children: Donna Roddy (Howard), Thomas C. Norwood, Jr., (Tina), Kathryn Norwood, Marva Campbell (Richard), all of Chattanooga, and Jeri Norwood, Nashville. Sisters include Shirley Powers (Wallace), Chattanooga; Deborah Malone, Kingsport; and brother, Major Allen Burnette, Newark, DE; and a devoted cousin Carmen Jackson of Smithfield, VA. Grandchildren include Howard C. Roddy, Nashville; John Roddy (Christy), Chattanooga; Tonya Jetton (Johnny), Nashville; Thomas C. Norwood, III (Jimarra), Charleston, SC; four great grandchildren: Dean, Grant and Kayli Roddy and Maya Norwood, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, June 30 for one hour prior to Noon. Celebration of life services at the New Covenant Fellowship Church, 1326 N. Moore Road, Chattanooga.
Graveside services will be held at the Mountain Home Veterans National Cemetery in Johnson City, TN on Monday, July 2 at 11:00 AM.
The body will lie in state on Friday, June 29 from Noon – 6:00 PM at the funeral home.
Arrangements by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., Chattanooga. 622-9995.
