Irene Norwood

Irene Vines Norwood, an Alabama native who made the Houston area her home for many years, has died at the age of 85 after a long illness. Mrs. Norwood passed away Dec. 8, 2013, at the home of her daughter, Cynthia Norwood Kennedy, and her husband, Timothy Kennedy, in Livermore, Calif.

Mrs. Norwood was born in Crossroads, Ala., Jan. 14, 1928, the daughter of Dewey A. Vines and Lillian Richardson Vines, and graduated from Hueytown High School. She married Grover C. Norwood, Jr., April 26, 1946, and the couple settled in Texas, where she worked for Schlumberger and J. Weingarten Inc., in accounting roles. Mr. Norwood died Feb. 11, 1998.

The couple had three children, including a son, Grover C. Norwood III, who died in 1975. Her daughter, Cynthia, in California and another son, Jeffrey A. Norwood, and his wife, Lisa, survive, along with a grandson, Jeremy Kennedy and his wife, Deena; a granddaughter, Jordan Alexis Norwood; and two great granddaughters, Meghan Theresa and Haley Michelle Kennedy.

Throughout her life, Mrs. Norwood was an enthusiastic supporter of youth athletics, bowled in several leagues and enjoyed crocheting and macramé. She also was a fervent football fan, with first loyalty to Alabama, and loved visits to the casino for entertainment. Until her illness, she traveled frequently back and forth between Texas and California to be with her beloved family.

Funeral arrangements are with Forest Park East Funeral Home of Webster, Texas. Visitation is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, with service to follow at 12:30 p.m.