Marie Ware Norman

Marie Ware Norman was born on February 23, 1928 in Dumas, Arkansas to Henry Ware and Julia Hodges Ware. She was the twelfth of thirteen surviving children born into this loving union. Her siblings were Jonas (Jake), Caree (Sissy), Roberta (Burk), Henry Jr. (Punch), Charley (Sweetheart), Alphonso, Grover (PeeWee), Celester (Dook), Jesse (JC), Carrie, Betty, and Eugene (EC), who all preceded her in death.

At about age 10, Marie gave her life to Christ and united with the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Arkansas. She was baptized in the Big Canal, located a few miles from the church. In December 1937 at age 9, Marie’s father died and then, in August 1942, her mother also died. Marie was 14 years old. One of Marie’s older sisters, Carrie, took on the responsibility of rearing her younger siblings. Carrie worked to send Marie to boarding school in order to continue her secondary education. Marie attended Morris Booker Baptist High School and College, along with her sister Betty. She graduated from high school in 1946. After graduation, Marie taught for a while at the school to younger students.

In 1948, Marie and her brother Eugene left Arkansas and went to live with Carrie, who had by that time moved to Pasadena, California. Several other siblings had also already relocated to the Pasadena and greater Los Angeles area. Not long after arriving in Pasadena, Marie became reacquainted with a childhood friend, Jerry Lee Norman. He had migrated from Arkansas in 1944 to be with his family members who had settled here in San Diego. After a respectable time of courtship and rekindling of their friendship, Marie and Jerry were married in 1948. They enjoyed 58 years of marriage together until Jerry’s untimely passing in 2006. To this union, six children were born: Jerry III (Dedra), Barney, Dianna, Marietta, Gregory, and Sheila (Timothy). Marie was also the proud grandmother of four grandchildren: Jared (Tsitsi), Janus (Nikki), Hayley, and Jeffrey, as well as the great grandmother of four great grandchildren: Jadin, 6, Jacob Austin, 4, Jordin, 2, and Joshua, 2.

Shortly after her relocation to San Diego in 1948, Marie joined her husband in membership at the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, under the pastorate of the late Reverend Caney Johnson. She was an active member of the Senior Women’s Missionary Board and served for many years as the recording secretary for the Naomi Circle under the presidency of Sis. Eula Blackman. She also enjoyed singing as a member of several choirs, the United Choir, the Zion Chorus, and in the Mass Choir.

Marie was devoted wholeheartedly to making her house a home. Proverbs 31 describes the virtuous woman as one who works with willing hands, who sets about her work vigorously with arms strong for her tasks, as someone who gets up before dawn to provide for her family, and to organize her day’s work. Marie didn’t know the meaning of taking a day off. Together with her husband, Marie and Jerry were a team in making sure they provided the best environment for raising their children, for disciplining and instructing them both within and outside of the home in ways that would prepare them for the future. They valued the spiritual education and support provided by the church and did their best to make sure their children took advantage of every opportunity of instruction from Sunday School and BTU, to weekly youth auxiliary meetings. Education was a priority and they were proud that all six of their children graduated from college.

In the early years, Marie enjoyed cooking, canning, gardening, sewing, and crocheting doilies that she would share with her family, friends, and neighbors. Later in life, Marie loved to create pieces of art using found items from nature and use them to decorate her home. She enjoyed road trips, airplane travel, hotels, and especially going to family reunions. She also enjoyed watching good dramas and movies on TV, as well as detective and animal shows.

Surrounded by family, Marie Ware Norman transitioned peacefully into glory on Sunday, December 9, 2012 at approximately 11:45 a.m. Marie will be remembered for her unique and sometimes fiery spirit, her sweet smile, and her commitment to her family and her God. She will be sorely missed by not only her immediate family, but by her many nephews and nieces who loved her as dearly as she loved them, by her sister-in-law, Patsy Norman of Royal, Arkansas, by her church family here at Mt. Zion, and by everyone who knew her and loved her.