Norwood Laws

Norwood William Laws, 77, of Anchorage died Nov. 26, 2010, at Providence Alaska Medical Center.

A funeral service will be at noon Friday at Greater Friendly Temple Church, 6310 DeBarr Road, with Bishop Charles D. Williams officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior at the church. Interment will be at 2:30 p.m. at Fort Richardson National Cemetery.

Norwood was born Oct. 5, 1933, in Covington, Va., to the late Elmore B. and Virgie Wright Laws. He attended and graduated from Watson High School, where he played football for the Watson Hornets.

Mr. Laws enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1952 and retired in 1973.

He returned to Alaska in 1983, after having spent time here while in the service. With his son, he owned N&R Janitorial Services. He was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church.

Mr. Laws was a collector and loved working on cars.

"He always cared and looked out for others," his family said. "He was a builder, and a good family man. He was a very giving, patient, and dedicated husband and father who will be greatly missed."

He is survived by his wife, Shirley M. Laws of Anchorage; daughters, Sheila Barnett of New Albany, Ind., Juanita Covington of Virginia Beach, Va., Theresa (Linwood) Twitty of Covington, Va., and Cosetta Laws of Anchorage; sons, Tyrone (Shirley) Laws of San Antonio, Texas, and Ronald (Tina Pulliam) Laws of Anchorage; brothers, Freddie (Charolette) Laws of Los Angeles, Calif., Kenneth Laws of Covington and Charles (Diane) Laws of Covington; sister, Doris (Nelson) Texeria of Tucson, Ariz.; adopted daughter, Amy Sutton of Anchorage; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Yvonne Laws and Reginia; many nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son-in-law, James Barnett; brothers, Elmore Laws Jr. and James Laws; and sister-in-law, Shirley S. Laws.

E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at sml1934@aol.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.

Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel of Anchorage, www.akheritage.com.