Mary Eileen (Fox) Norwood is at peace with her Lord and Savior. She lived her life dedicated to her family, bettering her community, and educating generations of youth. She passed away comforted by the love of her family on August 6, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. Mary led a genteel early life in East Texas and lived to travel the world; experiences she used to ignite a passion for learning in herself and students.
Mary was born on October 30, 1939 in Alto, Texas to Samuel and Hazel Fox. She was 14 years old when her family moved to Fort Worth. She met her future husband, Frank Norwood, after being set up on a blind date by a mutual friend. Their first date led to the creation of a military family who travelled the world for the next 20 years. She made a home for her family wherever the US Army sent them including Okinawa, Germany, and Japan. Texas was ever present, especially when the Armed Forces Network would play Dallas Cowboy football games on the radio.
Mary was always recognized for her intellect, friendly spirit, and ability to get things done. In her life, she worked as a legal secretary, military spouse volunteer, executive administrative assistant, high school advanced placement English teacher, and ultimately coordinator for the Gifted and Talented program at Katy High School. After raising three successful children, she began long-delayed work towards a Bachelor of Arts in Teaching in English. She graduated summa cum laude at the age of 38 in 1986. She also earned a Master of Education in School Counseling with honors in 1994. Mary was a revered teacher and mentor, who always bragged on “her” Katy High School Tiger kids who competed in Odyssey of the Mind competitions. Red was her color, as long as it was on her Katy High School Tiger Teacher sweater, which she often wore.
Equally at home serving as a Daughter of the King in the church, playing slot machines, reading, or cheering for her beloved Dallas Cowboys - Mary did all these things with equal fervor. Late in life, she lived with Alzheimer’s disease which robbed her of those memories she cherished most, those of her family. We know she loved us completely; Alzheimer’s can’t take our memories.
Mary is survived by her husband Major (Retired) Frank R. Norwood; daughter, Mary Anderson, Esquire and son-in-law Matthew; son, Colonel (Retired) John Norwood and daughter-in-law Leslie; son, Colonel (Retired) Paul Norwood and daughter-in-law Kimberly; grandchildren, Katherine Quinn and her husband Ryan, Amanda Norwood, Matthew Norwood and his wife Abby, Kaitlyn Norwood, Hannah Norwood, Madeline Anderson, and great-granddaughter Savannah Quinn. She is also survived by her brother Philip Fox and his wife Graciela along with numerous nieces and their families. All loved Mary and cherish her grace-filled life of impact.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mary's honor to the Alzheimer's Association, www.alz.org.
The family will be accepting guests at Sparkman Funeral Home, 1029 S. Greenville Avenue, Richardson, Texas, on Sunday, August 12th from 2:00pm-4:00pm. Funeral services will be at Sparkman Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, August 13th, at 11:00am. Interment will follow at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery at 1:15pm starting in Lane 2.
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