Mrs. Mary Thompson Norwood

Mrs. Mary Thompson Norwood, 79, of Graham, passed away Thursday, October 24, at the Hospice Home in Burlington following an 8 month illness.

A native of Alamance County, Mary was the wife of Larry Phillip Norwood, Sr. for over 60 years. She was the daughter of Lonnie Albert Thompson and Sarah Ellen Stafford Thompson. Her career spanned years as an office manager and bookkeeper for several companies. In addition, she prepared tax returns for many individuals and small businesses from her home office.

Mary loved family, church, and music. She was an active member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church.
During her 50+ years of service to the church, she served as Sunday School teacher and Youth Choir Director and was an active member of a Women’s Circle Group. Her love of gospel music ran deep. She sang in the church choir and was a member of various groups that were often asked to sing at gatherings, services, and events at area churches.

Surviving, other than her husband of the home, are 3 sons: Phil Norwood and wife Phyllis of Graham, Tony Norwood and wife Amanda of New Bern, NC, and Chris Norwood and wife Gwen of Graham; 7 grandchildren: Molly Norwood Mayberry and husband Aaron of Austin, TX, Anna Norwood of Graham, Peter Norwood and fiancé Caroline Mann of Raleigh, Alex Norwood of Seattle, WA, Benjamin Norwood of New Bern, NC, Samantha Norwood of Graham, and Corinne Norwood of Graham; 2 brothers, Sam Thompson and wife Barbara of Burlington and Rev. Henry Thompson and wife Marizell of Greensboro. Mary also leaves behind her sister, her best friend, and her soulmate Alice Hadley and husband Tommy of Graham.

Mary was a member of a wonderful family with 8 brothers and sisters and she was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Albert Thompson, Sabert Thompson, and Elmer Thompson and sisters Rachel Braxton and Dorothy (Dot) Bunn. She is also survived by many “Thompson” nieces and nephews that she loved like they were her own children.

She was also loved and is survived by a close-knit group of her husband’s family.

Funeral service will be held 2:00 PM, Saturday, Nov. 2, at Mt. Olive Baptist Church with Rev. Henry Thompson and Rev. Kyle Thompson officiating. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Rich & Thompson Funeral Service in Graham from 6-8 PM, Friday, and other times at the residence.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Alamance/Caswell or Mt. Olive Baptist Church.

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