Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Visual Materials from the NAACP Records, NEA Telephoto, via Statesville Daily Record. Norma was nurtured by God's Word and Sacrament all the days of her life and is now with the Lord Jesus forever; John 14:1-3. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. All my life Ive felt as if a cloud hung over me, she said later. Let the family know you are thinking of them. Norma married Fred Zampedri on April 2, 1955, in Elko, Nevada. Donations from readers like you are essential to sustaining this work. She was a longtime member of Notre Dame Parish in Clarendon Hills serving as an adult religious education instructor, lector, and diligent but admittedly unskilled, prayer shawl knitter. Online condolences may be made at www.woodlawnfuneral.org. Comment Share B Brenda Nixon He was flanked by Thurgood Marshall Jr., son of the nations first Black Supreme Court justice who defended the men as the NAACPs top legal mind. He was born August 23, 1954 in Bedford, IN, the son of Daniel Lewis and Norma Jean (Tolbert) Padgett. When asked for an explanation early this month, Scotts press secretary said they were reviewing our options, and then never got back to the Los Angeles Times before Scott left state office Tuesday. What we do know for sure is that Normas last moments on Earth were spent praying for those of us she left behind. Disclaimer: All information provided on this website is provided in good faith, however we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information on the Site. There is a new angel in heaven and her name is Norma. In some ways, the town is still coming to terms with its past. There were rumors around town that Willie would drink and sometimes become violent toward his wife. Samuel Shepherd in his coffin in November 1951. I am the victim, she told the clemency board. At a clemency hearing in 2019, when the men were posthumously pardoned by Florida Gov. By 1998, Willie was dead, as was Norma's second husband (whose surname she uses today), and the 66-year-old widow was still living in Groveland. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd at the above address. She asked her father about him, but he never wanted to talk. Norma dropped the Padgett name, the couple divorced in 1958, and she remarried to another Lake County man a few years later. The men ranged in age from 16 to 26 in 1949 when they were accused of raping Norma Lee Padgett. This is a glory hallelujah day, said Shepherds cousin, Beverly Robinson, at a news conference afterward. There was a line at the security entrance, and after passing through a metal detector, Vivian, a diabetic, was feeling hypoglycemic and recognized that she needed to eat something. We do not own or modify obituary in any way. With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Norma Lee (Mount Holly, North Carolina), who passed away on January 31, 2022 at the age of 86. A memorial service will be held Friday, July 12, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home. 360-736-3311, Relatives of the Groveland Four gather at the just-unveiled monument in front of the Lake County historical courthouse in Tavares, Fla., Friday, February 21, 2020. Then, Alene said something curious. OBITUARY Lee James Padgett February 16, . Arrangements entrusted to Aarons Mortuary of Ogden. It happened, Vivian said. Normas family came to Utah in 1936 to escape the depression when all mining shut down in Oklahoma. The doors could not be opened. James Shepherd never sought closure to the family ruin hed endured in Groveland a half century before, nor had he ever attempted to come to terms with his tragic past. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? Throughout that summer, old friends arrived at the Shepherd home to pay respects to the trusty mechanic and longtime Lake County family man. Weeks from his last moments on earth, when his heart would ultimately fail him, James Shepherd said he had heard Norma concede what hed known all along. PADGETT, Norma J. My grandfather not only lost their home, but he lost his son.. Copyright 2010 - 23 Toon Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. The state of Florida was wrong, and were sorry, DuBose told them. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. Shepherd built a modest six-room house and maintained a small farm with help from three sons and three daughters, while his wife Ida Mae had the best preserve cellar in the area. Henrys white neighbors tried to run Shepherd off his land. This website aggregate United States obituaries from different resources. She grew up in Gillespie, Illinois and after high school graduation pursued her passion for helping others by earning her Bachelors of Nursing degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Condolences may be sent to the family at: Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. 2022, Obituary.Memorial. There is no photo or video of Norma Lee.Be the first to share a memory to pay tribute. Cherwa also contributes general interest stories from Florida. Norma and Bob were the proud owners of Willis Jewelers (now Zabler Jewelers) in Clarendon Hills where they built a thriving business by earning the trust of their customers with their integrity and standards of quality. The significance of this finding cannot be overstated, Gladson said. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. All copyright belongs to the respective owners. Norma Jean Padgett, age 85, of Buford, GA passed away Wednesday, July 10, 2019. The sheriff picked up the two men at the state prison to drive them back to Lake County for the retrial. (86 years old). Learn more about managing a memorial . I was 17 years old and it never left my mind. Arrangements are in the care of Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly. She retired from the Lawton Indian Hospital in 2005, ending her 50-year career in nursing as the Supervisor of Nurses. Whatever the case, Normas prayers were truly legendary and touched everyone around her. She was baptized as an infant in St. Johns Lutheran Church in Dorchester. Ok, maybe not. She worked at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis upon graduation where she met her husband, Reverend Stanley Delton Padgett, who was attending Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. We received your message. Telephone: 724-499-5181. Hes also a sign of Mexicos healthcare crisis, Bola Tinubu, the declared winner of Nigerias presidential election, appeals for unity, A 5,000-year-old restaurant highlights Iraqs archaeological renaissance, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, Chicago Mayor Lightfoot ousted; Vallas, Johnson in runoff, Fiery Greece train collision kills 32, injures at least 85, Column: Supreme Court conservatives may want to block student loan forgiveness. Telephone: 724-499-5181. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. All have preceded her in joining God. Norma was a member of the Gentryville United Methodist Church. The Myth - Norma died while rushing into a burning orphanage to save the children. All copyright belongs to the respective owners. The Florida Legislature called for the exoneration of the Groveland Four in 2017, asking then-Gov. We have set your language to Verify and try again. Norma was honored by the City of Ogden for her work with children. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Family and friends can send flowers and condolences in memory of the loved one. He had to ride to the hospital in a car provided by a black-owned funeral home because an ambulance refused to transport black people. To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Walter Irvin was given a few weeks to recover from his gunshot wounds so that he could once again stand trial for the rape of Norma Padgett. Padgett, now 89, declined her right to . Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. A service to celebrate Norma's life will be held immediately following at 2:00 p.m. also at the church. Norma's family would like to thank her long-time caregivers Maria de la Luz Vasquez and Julie Nordeen for their care and their gift of dignity in Norma's waning years. James Shepherd slowly limped to the door and opened it for Norma. They married on July 5, 1957 and Norma was his co-partner in ministry for the full 64 years of their union together. By daybreak, Norma turned up outside a caf in nearby Okahumpka, claiming that four black men had beaten up her husband and forced her into their car at gunpoint. He is buried in one of Grovelands all-black cemeteries. Born to Alpha and Loretta Padgett on June 2, 1931, in Miami, Oklahoma, Norma grew up with a sister, Jean, and two brothers, Richard and Don. January 31, 2022 Beloved wife to the love of her. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. July 26, 1935 - Two other young men were named by authorities, who described them as known troublemakers. Vivian Shepherd wasnt the only one who hadnt heard this sordid piece of local history. His next book, "Beneath a Ruthless Sun", will be published by Riverhead Books in 2018. They tell me my chickens and ducks are all gone, Shepherd said at the time, reduced to mumbling that he wanted no more trouble.. That is why we have created a project that will help you find information about the deceased. She lives in Georgia and had not spoken publicly about what happened since Irvins second trial until Friday. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. Within hours, Samuel Shepherd and Walter Irvin, 22-year-old childhood friends and army buddies from Groveland, were arrested, taken into the basement beneath the Lake County jail, and severely beaten by deputies. Turning down a dark clay road, McCall stopped his car, pulled his gun, and executed Samuel Shepherd. Norma rang the doorbell. She was predeceased by : her father Vance Hunter. When the two were done speaking, James came stoically back into the living room. It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Norma Padgett of Clarendon Hills, Illinois, who passed away on July 1, 2022, leaving to mourn family and friends. McCall, who had bragged about having stayed in office so long despite being investigated dozens of times, was acquitted by an all-white jury. Failed to delete memorial. Receive obituaries from the city or cities of your choice. Norma worked for the Commercial Security Bank from 1960 to 1978, and then started a real estate career which lasted for 25 years, retiring in 2004. It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Norma Padgett of Clarendon Hills, Illinois, who passed away on July 1, 2022, leaving to mourn family and friends. Norma started life as it ended - sincerely loved by all around her. John Griffin, who was 5 at the time, said his father took the family to nearby Montverde when the Klan started to arrive. Padgett, now 89, declined her right to appear at the proceeding and present evidence or testimony, said State Attorney William Gladson, who provided the judge with "newly discovered evidence" to. Thurgood Marshall then a lawyer working for the NAACP, later the first black justice on the Supreme Court took up their case and persuaded the Supreme Court that they had not received a fair trial and to order a new one. Several members of the Tyson and Padgett families were upset to learn of Florida's apologies last month and took to social media to express their dismay. Born to Alpha and Loretta Padgett on June 2, 1931, in Miami, Oklahoma, Norma grew up with a sister, Jean, and two brothers, Richard and Don. Yet despite the FBIs forensic evidence of murder and attempted murder, a Lake County judge refused to impanel a grand jury, and a U.S. Attorney in Tampa was unmoved to investigate the sheriff. 4920 Main Street Downers Grove, IL NORMA PADGETT OBITUARY Norma Rose Padgett Norma Rose Padgett (nee Thornton) age 99 3/4, went home to her Heavenly Father on July 1, 2022. Complications from his diabetes had resulted in a few amputated toes, hands that had become increasingly numb, and a weakening heart. Notre Dame Catholic Church 64 Norfolk Ave, Clarendon Hills, IL 60514. They picked up a bottle of whiskey and went out drinking and dancing at a local American Legion hall. Henry Shepherds eldest son, James, a highly skilled auto mechanic in Groveland, was married to Walter Irvins sister, Henrietta. Rogersville, PA, 15359. Perhaps of all the cases my father worked on, this one haunted him for many, many years. The indictment said McCall kicked and beat the man, causing his death. Irvin was paroled in 1968 and died a year later of what were determined to be natural causes. Add to your scrapbook. Funeral arrangement under the care ofToon Funeral Homes. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two siblings, William Boyd Padgett and Norma Lee Padgett. Norma wandered into Okahumpka, 15 miles north of Groveland, the next morning and told a man she had been abducted. Im not a rapists daughter.. And he believed there were better days ahead.. And about the rape. Rogersville, PA, 15359. "If the state wants to apologize for their treatment during and after their apprehension[,] fine," one family member wrote. Fred joined God on February 1, 2013. Norma was nurtured by Gods Word and Sacrament all the days of her life and is now with the Lord Jesus forever; John 14:1-3. For the Shepherds, there was no going back to Groveland anyway. Irvin played dead to avoid more gunfire. Funeral arrangement under the care ofWoodlawn Funeral Home. Her songs could leave you laughing hysterically (or wondering why she never found her way to Nashville). Try again later. She also admitted to the reporter that her father didnt have much confidence in her testifying in court; hed even bet a man that shed mess up on the witness stand. It would be another 62 years before the Florida House of Representatives passed a bill formally apologizing to the Groveland families--an act that was repeated one week later, unanimously again, in the Florida Senate. The Irvins and the Greenlees soon emerged from the elevators and spotted Vivian in the lobby. Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Jul. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Family and friends can send flowers and condolences in memory of the loved one. She picked up some yogurt in the cafeteria, quickly ate it, and then rushed back up to the fourth floor, where guards told her that the legislative session had already commenced. Age 85, of Buford, passed away July 10, 2019. Write your message of sympathy today. The Klansmen came looking to kill my whole family, Vivian Shepherd said. This account has been disabled. ORLANDO, Fla. A judge Monday restored the constitutional right to presumption of innocence for the Groveland Four, granting a prosecutors motion to throw out indictments and convictions that ruined the lives of the four Black men accused seven decades ago of raping a 17-year-old white girl. This browser does not support getting your location. Norma requested she be cremated and laid to rest in Ogden City Cemetery next to her beloved Fred and that there be no public services. 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