Ann W Norton

Ann Wardell Norton passed into eternity on September 28, 2014. She was born on January 27, 1926 in New Orleans, LA to Harold Forest Wardell and Henrietta Schayer Wardell. Ann was baptized at St. Anthony’s Church in New Orleans. Her Godparents were Aunt Florence Schayer and Uncle Sam Taylor. She received First Holy Communion in Shreveport, LA and the Holy Sacrament of Confirmation at St. John’s Church in Shreveport, LA. Ann began attending college at LSU in Baton Rouge, LA at the age of sixteen. She met Gaines Bradford Norton in college and the couple were married on Oct. 27, 1945 in New Orleans, LA at the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church by Fr. A. B. Goodspeed. Seven of their children are surviving: Gaines Bradford Norton, Jr. (Diane), Retta Mary Norton Munninger (Karl), Earl Wardell Norton (Margaret), Dorothy Iris Norton Meeks (Dan), Rebecca Ann Norton Helm (Tim), Norma Ann Norton Brewer (Michael) and Douglas David Norton (Jackie). Their daughter, Catherine CeCeel Norton, died in infancy. Ann taught choir and voice at Mount St. Mary’s Academy in Little Rock. She graduated from UALR with a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance. She pursued her Masters of Social Work at UALR and was the first social worker hired by a school system in the State of Arkansas for students. She performed in concerts and weddings for many years and was active in the Community Theater of Little Rock. Ann was a Girl Scout leader, sang with the Holy Souls Catholic Church choir as a soloist, was a soloist at Pulaski Heights Presbyterian Church and worked at Easter Seals, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, and SCAN America, supported, in part, by the Exchange Club. SCAN, a program that she helped to establish, worked to decrease child abuse and neglect. Her travels took her all over the US making speeches to local Exchange Clubs and other civic organizations. Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Henrietta; sister, Iris Wardell Drummond; sister, Dorothy Wardell Knepper; husband Gaines Bradford Norton. Ann resided at Presbyterian Village in Little Rock at the time of her death. Ann had 17 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and Godchildren, Norma Ann Drummond Camel and Tracy Camel Yohe. Rosary and visitation will be Friday, Oct 3rd at Christ the King Catholic Church in Little Rock. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct 4th at Christ the King Catholic Church in Little Rock.