Ruth G. Martin Norman

Ruth Gelane Martin Norman age 90, of Tazewell, Virginia passed away on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, in Roanoke, Virginia. Ruth was born February 1, 1934, in Richlands, Virginia, and was the daughter of the late Nelson J. Martin and Carrie Crawford Martin. She graduated from Richlands High School in 1952, where she began the lifelong habit of collecting friends and being involved in as many activities as possible. She married the love of her life, Roy Lee Norman, in 1956 and was his wife for over forty-seven years until his death in 2004. She remained in Tazewell County for her entire life, making the difficult transition from a Tornado to a Bulldog in 1970. She and her husband raised their son and two daughters in Tazewell. In her early years, she was a member of the Richlands Junior Woman’s Club. She belonged to the Eastern Star for over fifty years, serving as an officer many times. She also served her community as a Brownie Leader, a Girl Scout leader, and a PTA president. She took great pride in being a very capable, professional secretary and retired from Southwest Virginia Community College, where she thrived while encouraging and helping many students to navigate their way to a degree. Ruth was a longtime active member of the Main Street United Methodist Church in Tazewell, Virginia, where she served the church on many committees and in many roles to support its mission and encourage its growth and impact. She made a joyful noise by singing in a church choir for an incredible seventy-five years. She was president of the United Methodist Women for many years and was an active member of the Knight-Phillips Circle. She was a founding member of the devotional group Kindred Spirits, where she had many treasured friends. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. She was a true friend to many and treasured those friendships until the day she died. She will be remembered for her smile, which could light up a room, her quick laughter, her amazing strength, and her generous, giving spirit. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Roy Lee Norman, her son, Lawrence Guy “Norm” Norman, her sisters, Opal Burgess, Gloria Cardwell, and Elizabeth Stull and her brothers, Nelson J. Martin, Jr., Winfred “Wimpy” Martin and Marvin Wilson. Those who remain to carry on her loving spirit are: Her daughters: Beth Norman of Shelby, NC Rebecca Whittington of Midlothian, VA Grandsons, Cameron Williams, and Jordan Williams, and great-grandson, Oliver Williams, and his mother, Tricia Kehoe. Sister, Virginia “Jenny” Hagy of Richlands, VA Several nieces, nephews, and a host of friends also survive. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any desired memorials be given to Main Street United Methodist Church in Tazewell. The funeral service for Ruth G. Martin Norman will be at 2:00 PM on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at the Main Street United Methodist Church on Main Street in Tazewell, Virginia with Ministers Anthony Grills and Manny Elswick officiating. Interment will be held privately at the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery in Richlands, Virginia. Pallbearers will be Anthony Grills, Manny Elswick, David Havens, Robert White, Gary Nease, and Jeff Hancock. The visitation will begin at 1:00 PM at the church until the time of service. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands oversees arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com

Ruth G. Martin Norman

February 1, 1934 - February 28, 2024