Jerry H. Norwood

Jerry Hugh Norwood, born in Holly, Louisiana, October 4, 1940, left his earthly life on February 17, 2026 in Shreveport, Louisiana from complications of a December 2022 stroke.

He was predeceased by his parents, Burdette and Isolene Brown Norwood; sister Nadine Reed and her husband, Marshall; brother Ronald Glen Norwood; brother Richard Norwood and his wife Jeannette; brother-in-law Del Worth and nephew Mark Worth.

Jerry was a proud 1958 graduate of Pelican High School. He immediately enrolled at Northwestern State University earning his accounting degree within three years. Upon graduation, he purchased his beloved 1961 red and white Ford Galaxy that his buddy, Glen Myers, saw in the dealer’s showroom, and started work as an auditor for the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO), New Orleans district. He traveled all over the South on audits, usually lasting several months. It was at a church Halloween party in Mobile, Alabama, that a young auburn-haired girl dressed in a yellow satin costume attracted his attention. That long-distance courtship resulted in the red Ford getting a lot of extra miles. From Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee and Oklahoma – all roads led back to Mobile…just to attend church on Sundays. During these times, he told her about his family and Pelican high school life of playing basketball, running track, his great teachers, FBLA and FFA. These experiences and relationships have lasted a lifetime.

Maxine became Jerry’s highway shotgun buddy when they married in 1963 - complimentary lessons in driving a stick shift included. Growing tired of all the travel and with a baby on the way, he accepted an accounting position with International Paper Company. Little did he know how much travel and how many moves were on the horizon. He became IP’s “go to” man for the paper mill’s general/cost accounting/purchasing systems and also oversaw the introduction of entirely new programs…years that included Maxine riding shotgun again.

After 35 years, he retired as Corporate Project Manager having worked as Controller of three paper mills and having lived in Moss Point, Mississippi; Mobile, Alabama (twice); Natchez, Mississippi; Wilton, Maine with many stops in between. All of those moves were presented as family “adventures”. His traveling buddies – Maxine, Pam, Mike and Kim cherish and share memories of those special times. The stories and road trip memories have been a conversation staple throughout the years.

Jerry has gone on his last adventure without his traveling partners. He leaves us with much love, laughter and many sweet memories of his kind, loving nature and quiet faith in God. He was the calm in a storm and a safe place to land. A man of few words but when he spoke it was usually worth hearing and believing…except when he was talking to Maxine. After 63 years of teasing, he still liked to keep her guessing.

The family will never be able to thank his caregivers, Zoiee Craig and Amanda Flores, enough. We will forever be grateful for their faithfulness and love throughout this journey. Special thanks to the nurses and CNA’s at Hospice LifePath, Cornerstone Specialty Hospital, Heritage Manor Stratmore, Intensive Specialty Hospital, Gentiva Hospice and Christy Craig for their kindness and support.

In lieu of flowers, we request that remembrances be made to

Old Union Baptist Church c/o Doris Latham, 947 WPA Road, Converse, LA 71419

Old Union Cemetery Fund c/o Don Norwood, 2024 Walker Road, Mansfield, LA 71052 or

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.