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S.S. Norvell Obituary
Dr. Norvell was preceded in death by his parents, Lester Rice Norvell and Helen Strudwick Norvell; a brother; Dr. Lester Rice Norvell Jr.; a sister, Elizabeth Norvell Schaefer; and a beloved granddaughter, Rebecca Neal Norvell.
After graduating from Coffee High School, Dr. Norvell enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as an ensign in the Pacific Theater during World War II. After military service, Dr. Norvell graduated from the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama School of Medicine. He served in Florence, Ala., for 45 years as a caring family physician. After retiring from private practice, Dr. Norvell continued working as a physician at the University of North Alabama Bennet Infirmiry.
Dr. Norvell was a native of Florence, Ala., and a lifelong member of Trinity Episcopal Church. He was a member of the Lauderdale County Medical Society, the Alabama Medical Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Dr. Norvell is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Martha Neal Key Norvell; four sons, Dr. Samuel Strudwick Norvell Jr., Rockville, Md., William Key Norvell, Florence, Carter Clarke Norvell, Florence, and Neal Key Norvell, Davidson, N.C.; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two nieces; and one nephew.
Honorary pallbearers will be Sam Esslinger, O.T. Mefford, Donald Holt, Charles Thomas, Rivers Lindsey, Bill Flanagan and Ken Williams.
Memorials may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, or to a charity of choice.
Elkins Funeral Home is assisting the family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Kimberly Stamps- Wallace
July 17, 2008
Dr. Norvell was my doctor from birth until he retired. I remember everytime I would have a visit, he always would ask me how my family was and how life was. He even remembered boyfriends names( that is saying a lot when dealing with a teenage girl). I was always amazed at how much he cared and it was real. I saw him a little over a year ago at the hospital and he still asked about my family and if I had became the nurse I always wanted to be. He was what true medicine is all about-taking care of your patients and knowing them. I will always look back and remember him fondly. The world has lost a truly great and unique man with his passing. May God bless you all and my prayers are with you.
bobby blevins
July 17, 2008
Dr Norvell was a good dr.a good man and a good friend. He was my dr. for over 30 years. I am going to miss him God Bless you Dr. Norvell
Danny Blevins
July 17, 2008
Dr Norvell has treated my family and I for as long as I can remember and he even delivered one of my brothers,mom always said that he was the best and he was.Doc became a great friend of the family and we will miss him dearly.
Sara Shapiro
July 15, 2008
I was deeply saddened to learn of Dr. Norvell's passing. He was my doctor for 26 years and delivered both my children. He was special, always compassionate and caring. I extend my deepest sympathy to his family.
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Emily Esslinger Rogers
July 12, 2008
Dr. Tut was a wonderful doctor and person. I've enjoyed many a story through the years of his and my father's adventures together. He was a great doctor for our entire family and a wonderful friend to our father and mother. He will be truly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Norvell family.
Michael Gordon
July 10, 2008
A fine doctor, a better guy and a great family.
Lizabeth Simonson
July 10, 2008
Dr. Norvell delivered me and was my doctor for as long as I lived in Florence. I would see him occaisonally when I would return home to Florence. To me, he always looked the same as he did as I first remembered him! What a wonderful man he was....I will have your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Nancy (O'Rear) Rhodes
July 9, 2008
Dr. Norvell was our family doctor and my fondest memory was whenever you had to have a shot, he would give us some Double Bubble bubble gum out of his bottom drawer. He will be greatly missed.
Debbie Stevenson
July 9, 2008
I was saddened to hear of Dr. Norvell's passing. He treated my entire family up until his retirement. I am certain he will be greatly missed. May God be with the family in this time of need.
Mary Esslinger
July 8, 2008
To the Norvell Family,
"Tut" was a wonderful man. Most importantly, he was my daddy's best friend. They shared many wonderful memories starting in the first grade. I will always remember him as a gentle, caring and giving person. His legacy will live on through his wife, children and grandchildren. Y'all have so much to be proud of. He led an exlemplary life. My thoughts and prayers will be with you during your time of grief. Celebrate his life!!!
Mary Esslinger
Sherry Cabler Terry
July 8, 2008
There are just not enough words to adequately tell you all how much Dr. Norvell meant to our family. He was so wonderful and so kind and compassionate and caring. Our Mom and Dad loved him and so did all of us children (all 7!) and we have never been able to find another doctor like him, or even close. Every time I would run into him after he retired , I would get this "pouty" look on my face and tell him how very much we missed him, and he would always laugh and say "Sherry darlin', I had to retire sometime!" , and then he would give me a big hug! We were all so touched when he came to see us when our precious Moma died and it meant the world to us.
Please know you are all in our hearts and prayers at this time and always know that Dr. Norvell will live on in our memories and our stories to our children about what a great man he was. God Bless and keep you close.
Mary Scott
July 8, 2008
Dr. Tut was our family Dr. for as long as he was in private practice. I remember when he would even make house calls! He was a wonderfully kind person and will truly be missed.
Gloria Grant
July 8, 2008
Dr. Norvell was a very good doctor , my mother-in-law worked for him for several years and we considerhim a close friend of the family.
Harlan Terrell-McDonald
July 8, 2008
Dr. Norvell delivered me in 1966. He was a great friend and doctor to me and my family (Jo and Ken Darby, Kathy Darby McDonald) during his life. My Aunt and Uncle Calhoun's home is across the slew from the Dr. Norvells lake house and he treated many boo boos on his pier! He will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with you Mrs. Norvell and your family.
MAXWELL RUSSELL
July 7, 2008
DR NORVELL WAS A KIND AND CARING DOCTOR. HE TOOK CARE OF MY FAMILY FOR YEARS .SAD TO HEAR OF HIM PASSING. HE WAS A GOOD MAN. REST IN PEACE
Ryan and Ashley Baker
July 7, 2008
We are all honored to have the opportunity to have known SS. He was a great man that touched many lives.
Sandra (Tingle) West
July 7, 2008
I am writing to let you know that I am truly sorry to hear of Dr. Norvell's passing.
I was born and raised in Florence and a 1966 graduate of Coffee High School. I went to school with Becky; although, I doubt if she even remembers me.
So, I guess, in a sense, one can say I grew up knowing the Norvells. I know Dr. Norvell (and his entire family) had/has a good name and was/is well liked and admired by everyone.
Once again I would like to send my condolences to the enire Norvell family and their frinds at this time.
Jackie Cabler
July 7, 2008
Dr. Norvell was our beloved family physician for many years beginning when my brother and sisters and I were children. In fact, he delivered the younger ones. (There were seven of us.) He did a wonderful job taking care of us and we loved him very much. He also was kind enough to attend our dear Mom's funeral last September and it was wonderful to see him again. To all of his family, you have our deepest and sincerest sympathy and we will be praying for you.
Kenny Cabler
July 7, 2008
May God grant this sweet and precious man eternal rest and bliss. Not only me but all my family and we had a big family (7 kids and 2 parents) who all loved him so much. He cared not only for all of us, but also our beloved Papaw and Mamaw Garrett. He made house calls back then when you couldn't find a doctor who would do it. He treated us all like we were the only patients that he had everytime any of us went to him with any illness, no matter what it was and I know you could ask those many, many other patients he had and they all could say the same. I only pray that this younger generation of physicians have just a fraction of the heart that Dr. Norvell had when it came to really caring for his patients, young and old alike. I only wish I could find the words to adequately describe someone like Dr. Norvell, someone who really cared so very much and even a little kid like me back then could feel it and that feeling never waivered one tiny bit as I grew older. His geniune love and concerned was never more evidently expressed than the last time I was with him. My mother had passed away and he came up to me at the visitation and gave me a warm embrace and without having to say a word, I felt how he really cared and was hurting because we all were hurting. He would have tried to heal that hurt too just like he had done with all my physical hurts if he had been able to do it and I knew it.
What a wonderful memory I will have now of our last time together. I will forever be so thankful that God blessed all of this community with such a wonderful, loving and caring physician for so many years. I will never ever forget him.
May God Comfort his loving wife and family.
Susan (Hall) McCord
July 7, 2008
Dr Norvell took good care my family for many years. I am saddened for your loss. Please know in the days ahead, that your family will be in my prayers.
July 7, 2008
To the dear family of Dr. Norvell, please know that you are in our prayers. Dr. Norvell has meant so much to our family. He had just attended the funeral of our dad and husband, Jamie Lee Sego, a kindness that is so precious to us. We will always love Dr. Norvell.
The Jamie Sego Family -
Ann, Mary, Betty, Martha and James
Sherry Winford
July 7, 2008
Our friendship goes back to Sewanee beginning in 1943 in the V12 program. Its been a long life and I'll miss you, Tut.
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