Larry Norwood
1952 ~ 2020
Date of Death: October 7, 2020
In profound sadness, the staff of Veasley Funeral Home & Cremations, Inc. want to express our sincere condolences to the Norwood family. Larry’s earthly temple is now resting in the care of Rowell-Parish Mortuary. Revelations 21:4 says "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death; nor sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away." Be assured that in the days ahead you will surely gain strength from the memories of Mr. Larry Norwood.
Sincerely,
Derrick Veasley ~ Director
Henry Veasley ~ Director
Pastor E.C. Maltbia ~ Chaplain
Larry Norwood was born the youngest child to Alex and Hazel Norwood on Saturday, February 9, 1952 in Van Buren, Arkansas. He was called home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 7, 2020 to take his eternal rest.
Larry professed his faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized at an early age at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church under Rev. Moore where his mother Hazel played the piano. He continued to be a member of Greater Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church for the remainder of his life. He studied the bible extensively throughout his life, gaining an intense knowledge of the Word of God that he was always thrilled to share with everyone he met. Anyone who knew him would confirm that God and the Bible were two of his favorite subjects for discussion. He wanted everyone to love and know Jesus the way he did in life.
Larry was educated in the Van Buren school system. He attended Douglas Elementary School and after desegregation, was one of the first African American children to attend King Elementary School. He went on to attend Van Buren Junior High and graduated from Van Buren High School where he loved his time as a student and a football player. He always loved to tell stories about his years as a Van Buren Pointer and carried a love of football with him for the rest of his life. Everyone knew he loved his Razorbacks and the Dallas Cowboys no matter what the team’s record was that season. After high school, he joined the Air Force and served his country.
As a young adult, he fathered two daughters; Anissa and Adria. Anissa gave him 2 granddaughters; CharMella and MarTesha, who then gave him 4 great-grandchildren; Lillian, Mordecai, Michael, and Reign. Adria gave him 2 granddaughters as well; Tanisha and Arrayh, who then gave him 2 great-grandchildren; Carson and Thaddaeus. He never got to be in their lives as much as he wanted but, he did his best by them. He loved and cherished all his daughters dearly.
In 1974, Larry met the love of his life, a lady named Sharon and they celebrated over 40 years of a harmonious marriage. She had a 2-year-old daughter, Amy, who he loved and raised as his own until her passing in 2018. She gave him his first grandson; Isiah, who gave him 2 great-grandchildren; Aubriana and Kaedyn. She later gave him 2 more grandsons; Robert and Tristen. He and Sharon had one daughter together, Jackie, who was a daddy’s girl from the moment she was born until God called him to his heavenly rest. Later in life, she gave him his last granddaughter; Maggie, who was attached to her Poppy’s hip at every opportunity. Anyone who knew them knew they were inseparable.
In 1978, the young family moved to Sapulpa, Oklahoma until 1986, when they returned to Arkansas and the land on Pickett Hill where Larry was born and raised. He always felt a strong connection to the home place and was proud that so many Norwood children were able to grow up there. Larry was a kind and generous man who touched more lives than anyone could ever count. He and his wife; Sharon, opened their arms and lives to anyone who ever needed them, even if it was just for a hug or encouragement. They adopted all their children’s friends into the family and Larry always tried to take care of everyone in his life.
Larry was the favorite uncle of most of his nieces and nephews and an extremely spoiled baby brother to his sisters. They still treated him with special care even after they all had entered their senior years. He was always a gentleman around ladies and had a cool swagger about himself. His smile was contagious, and he had a gift for making you feel better even on your hardest day. His compassion and generosity knew no bounds. He was fiercely loyal and protective of his family, especially his wife. Any and everyone knew you better treat Sharon right or you would have to answer to him. He tried to be an example to all the young men he influenced and show them how to treat women, especially their wives and mothers. He taught his daughters to be independent and demand respect in their own right. He loved his family, his dogs, his cars and trucks.
He will be eternally loved and cherished by his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and his devoted sisters; Gracie and Mamie, as well as a host of nieces and nephews and so many other relatives and friends. We will all miss him dearly and try to live our lives in the way that he tried so hard to teach us all, with love and devotion to God and family.
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