Eloise Fern Norman

Eloise was born December 22, 1923, to Ernest Price Crow and Gertrude Stanton Way Crow in the Crow farmhouse in Wooster. She attended David G. Burnett school, graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1940 at age 16, graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1943 at age 19. Eloise married Glen Norman on May 18, 1943, in Baytown.

Eloise Norman taught Sunday School, directed Girls Auxiliary and Young Womens’ Auxiliary, led Bible school, and dutifully served as a pastor’s wife at Calvary Baptist Church in Houston; First Baptist Church of Oak Cliff in Dallas; Trinity Baptist Church in Amarillo; Second Baptist Church in Corpus Christi; Richland Baptist Church in Richland, Washington; Alum Rock Baptist Church in San Jose, California; Del Amo Baptist Church in Torrance, California; as well as Temple Oaks Baptist Church and Greenspoint Baptist Church in Houston. Here in Baytown Eloise was a long-time, faithful member of Wooster Baptist Church and had been closely associated with Second Baptist Church.

In order to resume her teaching endeavors and having waited until all her children attained school age, Eloise enrolled at West Texas State University in Canyon for teacher recertification. Upon moving to Corpus Christi, Eloise began teaching elementary school at West Oso Independent School District and continued teaching in Kennewick, Washington; San Jose, California; Torrance, California; and finally Aldine, Texas. Significant to Eloise’s teaching career, she helped disadvantaged students realize their God-given potential. Eloise Norman witnessed to her students and fellow staff, encouraging them to truly love Jesus and follow Him in service to God.

A descendant of William and Resolved White, she was a proud member of the Mayflower Society. As a member of the Goose Creek Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Eloise actively supported and participated in numerous DAR efforts. In addition she constantly sought aid and clothing donations for Native Americans. She served as docent, helping the Bay Area Heritage Society restore the old schoolhouse her ancestors built. Some of her family heirlooms and tools remain at the Baytown Historical Museum. Eloise’s long-held dream of restoring the Crow farmhouse built by Wesley Ernest Crow in 1907 is being realized.

Eloise is predeceased by her parents E.P. and Gertrude Crow and beloved brother, E.P. Crow, Jr. She lives on in the hearts of her surviving husband of almost 62 years, Glen Norman; her children Kenneth Norman of Houston; Sarah Norman of Baytown; Price Norman of Seattle, Washington; David Norman and his wife Annette of Bulverde, Texas; her grandchildren Ashlea Norman of the University of Texas Medical School at Houston; Chelsea Norman of the University of Mary Hardin Baylor; Shannon Norman and Kathleen Pollock of North Vancouver, British Columbia; Kahlil Robinson of Mendocino, California; Elliott Norman and Nathan Norman of Baylor University; Heather Norman of the University of Texas at Austin; and Kellebeth Norman of Southwest High School in San Antonio. Eloise Norman also leaves behind numerous other cousins and extended family members.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, April 1, 2005, at Navarre Funeral Home. Memorial services will be held 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2005, at Wooster Baptist Church in Baytown, Texas, with family members and friends participating. Graveside services will be conducted at Cedar Crest Cemetery by Rev. Mack Jones, pastor of Wooster Baptist Church.

Eloise’s pallbearers are her grandson Elliott Norman, her cousin Edward Ueckert, her cousin Dale Crow, Foy Valentine, Charles Woodard, and Jim Hughes. Honorary pallbearers include her cousin Robert Wingate, her cousin Laurence Alan Crow, Fletcher Hickerson, Tommy Cantor, and Bobby Yoakum.

After months of struggling with failing health and finally succumbing to the effects of a massive stroke, Eloise Norman’s faith has found a resting place.

To view the obituary or post a tribute to the family, visit www.navarrefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Navarre Funeral Home, 2444 Rollingbrook, Baytown, Tx. 281-422-8111.