Norma Lee Tidwell

She was born June 14, 1926 in Goodspring, TN, the daughter of the late Clay Smith Jackson and Iva Rena Jackson.

Mrs. Tidwell was well known in Cartersville and Bartow County for her more than two decades of service as the Probate Judge.

Her career began as a Soda Jerk in Pulaski, Tennessee but quickly turned to serving the public with numerous positions in government after graduating high school and Martin College. During that time she was an avid basketball and softball player and a member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha. Mrs. Tidwell was also a talented and accomplished musician and singer, having sung with numerous Big Bands, including Jimmy Dorsey. Singing was her true passion all throughout her life. Of late she also enjoyed reading books and sending greeting cards.

In the early 50’s Mrs. Tidwell moved to Cartersville where she married Neal Tidwell and began working at the County Agent’s office. In 1952 they moved to Marietta where she worked for the Cobb County Juvenal and Probation Office. They moved back to Cartersville in 1956 when she began work at American Carpet Mills.

In 1962 she was employed yet again at a probate office, this time in Bartow County, but it was in 1975 after many years of becoming familiar with all things probate where she was sworn in as the Probate Judge. As Probate judge, she enjoyed being the wedding official for hundreds, if not thousands, of newlyweds over the years. In 1981 she also assumed the position as traffic court judge.

While in office Mrs. Tidwell’s responsibilities were extensive as she was also the Superintendent of Elections and Custodial of Vital Records. Her involvement in numerous organizations were well known: Charter member of both the Booth Western Art and Tellus Science Museums, American Cancer Society, Bartow County Chamber of Commerce, County Officers Association of Georgia, Hickory Log Vocational School, Business and Professional Women’s Club (as Woman of the Year), Cartersville Band Boosters, Bartow County Medical Records, Heart Fund, Legislative Committee for Probate Judges, Aldmore Auxiliary, Optimist Club, Ladies Golf Association, The Georgia Conference of Election Officials, National College of Probate Judges, Magnolia Garden Club, Corra Harris Garden Club, Etowah Valley Historical Club, Christians Women’s Club, Cartersville Rotary Club, Cartersville Elks Lodge, and Cartersville Country Club.

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Debra Larsen and Ray Larsen of Cartersville; son and daughter-in-law Vince Tidwell Sr. and Dale Tidwell of Dunwoody; four grandchildren – two with spouses, Brittney with Matt Hickom, Brandy with Andrew Wilson, Vince Tidwell, Jr. and Heather Tidwell; one great-grandchild, Madison Hickom; three sisters, Anna Williams of Mobile AL, Jane Jackson of Anaheim CA, and Barbara Bledsoe of Pulaski TN. Mrs. Tidwell was preceded in death by her husband, William Neal Tidwell, two brothers and a sister.

Funeral proceedings will begin with visitation where her family will receive friends starting at 11:00 AM Friday and the memorial service at 2 PM Friday at Owen Funeral Home with The Reverend John Page officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be Vince Tidwell Jr., Ray Larsen, Jim Hodge, Matt Hickom, Andrew Wilson, and Paul Bishop.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to The Pink Ladies, Cartersville Medical Center Auxiliary, 960 Joe Frank Harris PKWY, Cartersville, GA 30120

Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Dr., Cartersville, GA., has charge of the funeral arrangements.