Baxley Funeral Home announces the death, visitation, and funeral services of Mr. James LaForest Norwood of Baxley, Georgia who departed this life Sunday, January 1, 2017 at Landmark Hospital in Savannah, Georgia.

Visitation for Mr. Norwood will be held Friday, January 6 from 5pm - 7pm in the chapel of Baxley Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 7 at 1pm at Saint Paul Church of God in Christ located at 639 Highway 121 in Surrency, Georgia.

Burial will take place at Rachel Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery located at 6407 GA Highway 144 in Baxley, Georgia. The repast will follow in the Rachel Missionary Baptist Church Social Hall.

The family will receive friends at 384 Middlewood Drive in Baxley, Georgia.

He was born to the late Grady Norwood and Olivia Norwood on October 27, 1956 in Appling County. He joined Surrency Grove Baptist Church at an early age. He worked for the Appling County Board of Education for several years and enlisted in the United States Army for many years. He retired from the City of Baxley after many dedicated years of service.

He is survived by his wife, Janice Norwood of Baxley; children, Candi (Erric) Johnson of Baxley, Shannon (Edward) Boyce of Decatur, James (Angie) Gibbs of Baxley, Stanley (Shonda) Gibbs of Surrency and Farris Smith of Baxley; mother, Olivia Norwood of Surrency; grandchildren, Jazmine Johnson, Alivia Johnson, Savannah Johnson, Alyssa Boyce, Italy Boyce, Taylor Boyce, Chesney Gibbs, Jeremiah Gibbs, Amillya Smith, Najay Smith, Andrea Branch, Tyson Branch, Jaymie Gibbs and Jaysie Gibbs; brothers, Grady (Wonda) Norwood of Baxley and Anthony (Deidre) Norwood of Hinesville; uncle, Colon Hayes of Surrency; sisters-in-law, Maggie Colson of Green Cove Springs, Florida, Ruby James of Surrency and Ida Jones of Baxley; brothers-in-law, James (Teresa) Edward of Miami, Florida, Moultrie Smith of Green Cove Springs, Florida, Eugene (Devora) Smith of Baxley and Stewart (Marthalyn) Smith of Hazlehurst. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends also survive.

Funeral services were held at St. Paul Church of God in Christ on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. with Dr. Kendall Bennamon providing the eulogy and Minister Mathalyn Smith presiding.

Active pallbearers were Marcus Gibbs, Wayne White, Brad Wilcox, Kevin Mitchell, Lonnie Hodges, Lothair White and Pastor Moses Eason, Sr.

Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Esco Hall, Raymond Gadsden, Thomas Williams, William Alderman, David Gore, William Griffin, Pastor Moses Eason, Sr. and The City of Baxley.

Musical selections were rendered by Tammy Richburg, Catherine Gibbs, Tierra Andrews and Stephanie Byrd.

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Baxley Funeral Home.

Burial and Repast following funeral services at 1pm.

SERVICES

Visitation

Friday, January 06, 2017
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Baxley Funeral Home
477 Blackshear Hwy
Baxley, Georgia 31513

Funeral Service

Saturday, January 07, 2017
1:00 PM

St. Paul Church of God in Christ
639 Hwy 121
Surrency, GA 31563

Reception

Saturday, January 07, 2017

Rachel Missionary Baptist Church
6407 Highway 144 NE
Baxley, GA 31513

Burial and Repast following funeral services at 1pm.