Alice Torrence

Alice Elizabeth Orr Norwood Torrence "Elizabeth" CHARLOTTE - Mrs. Alice Elizabeth Orr Norwood Torrence, known as "Elizabeth" died April 29, 2014, at Wilora Lake Health Center, Charlotte. She was 91 years old, the last surviving child and youngest daughter of the late Lawrence and Addie Dennis Orr. She was preceded in death by five brothers and four sisters. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, May 4, 2014, at 2:00 PM at Saint Paul Presbyterian Church, 7400 Robinson Church Road, Charlotte, NC, with the Rev. Gloria Bolden, officiating. Family visitation will be at 1:00 PM Sunday, one hour prior to the service. Interment in the church cemetery. Elizabeth attended and graduated from Clear Creek High School, later known as J.H. Gunn High School. She was also a graduate of Band Beauty College and operated her own beauty shop. Following her first husband's death, as a widower, she worked two to three jobs at a time. She was a trained as a certified nurse's assistant, becoming a home nurse for many of Charlotte's most prominent families, local hospitals and nursing homes. She retired as a custodian from Independence High School. She married the late Charlie Norwood and to that union were born three children. With her late husband Charlie, she worshipped with him at Gethsemane Baptist Church. She later married the late Rev. Matthew B. Torrence and served as a pastor's wife in the AME Zion Church in the Rockingham District for more than 30 years. Following Rev. Torrence's retirement, she became active in her home church, St. Paul Presbyterian Church, where she served as a life time member, Church Elder, Sunday School Teacher, Chairperson of the Senior Citizen Yard Project, Church Treasurer and Missionary. She is survived by a daughter Queen N. Thompson (Melvin); two sons, Charles Norwood and Lawrence Norwood (Phyllis); and a special niece Alfreto Maxwell Alexander (Kenneth), who served her like a daughter. She was blessed with eight grandchildren: Charlisa N. Hollingsworth, Kimbrelli Norwood, Latrista Norwood, Laurece Norwood, Leigh Norwood, Phillip Norwood, Jody T. Marshall (Mark) and Kelly Thompson. She also had five great-grandchildren. Grier Funeral Service, 115 John McCarroll Avenue, Charlotte (704)332-7109 is in charge.