On January 21, 2011, Norma Marian Fritz Howard, 91, went home to be with her Lord. Mrs. Howard was born on October 27, 1919, in Helena, Montana. She was raised by her adoptive mother, Claire Alice Wilson, a teacher in Auburn, Washington. She studied at the University of Washington and Tacoma General Hospital, graduating as a Registered Nurse. While employed at Harbor View Hospital, Seattle, Washington, she worked as a general duty, assistant head, and supervising nurse of the orthopedic section, and also supervised student nurses. During World War II, Mrs. Howard served as lieutenant in the U.S. Army, primarily nursing causalities from the Pacific Theater.
Mrs. Howard lived in Hattiesburg and Biloxi, Mississippi for most of her life. She worked as an R.N. for many years at Howard Memorial Hospital's nursing home in Biloxi, and rose to the rank of Major as a volunteer with the Civil Air Patrol. She survived Hurricane Camille, and following her retirement, moved to the Birmingham, Alabama, area to be near her family after her apartment building was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
Her last years were spent at the Riverchase Village Senior Living Community in Hoover, Alabama, where she enjoyed varied activities, from bingo to Bible study, with her many friends. Her days there were often brightened by visits from members of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church and its Pastor Emeritus, Otis Brooks.
Mrs. Howard was married to Edwin Charles Howard, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her son, Ronald Charles Howard, and her daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Boggan Howard of Pelham, Alabama, and by her grandchildren, Michael Charles Howard and Michelle Elizabeth Howard of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
A gathering of her family and friends will be held at Rockco Funeral Home in Montevallo, Alabama, at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, January, 25. Interment will follow at 2:00 PM at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, with a brief graveside service to be conducted by Gary Yarbrough, Director of Pastoral Care at Shelby Baptist Medical Center in Alabaster; Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, which are restricted at the Alabama National Cemetery, the family has requested that donations be made to the Lovelady Center in Birmingham.
GRAVESIDE SERVICE AS CONDUCTED BY GARY YARBROUGH, DIRECTOR OF PASTORAL CARE AT SHELBY BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011
As we begin our service of remembrance, let us bow for a moment of silence for the veterans who have served and continue to serve for God and country. [pause, Amen]
Norma Marian Howard was a nurse during WWII. According to the book entitled "The Army Nurse Corps," "the skill and dedication of these nurses contributed to the extremely low post-injury mortality rate among American military forces in every theater of the war. Overall, fewer than 4 percent of the American soldiers who received medical care in the field or underwent evacuation died from wounds or disease. …
Army nurses returning to civilian life discovered a changed postwar society. The place of women in American society had been irrevocably altered and expanded by the entrance of women into professional and industrial jobs previously reserved for men. Most important for nurses, however, was society's enhanced perception of nursing as a valued profession. The critical need for nurses and the federally funded Cadet Nurse Corps program had been well publicized during the war. Upon their return home, Army nurses were eligible for additional education under the G.I. Bill of Rights, which would enable them to pursue professional educational goals" (pp. 3, 31). Let us remember the healing ministries of those who have served in the Medical Corps, and today we lay Norma's body to rest in the Alabama National Cemetery.
Memorial Service for Norma Marian Fritz Howard
Dying, Christ destroyed our death. Rising, Christ restored our life. Christ will come again in glory. As in baptism, Norma Marian Howard put on Christ, so in Christ may she be clothed with glory. Here and now, we acknowledge God's presence with us. In the mystery of faith, what we shall be has not yet been revealed. But we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
Jesus said, I am the Resurrection and the Life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, yet shall they live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Because I live, you shall live also.
Read Psalm 23
We have gathered here to lift our hearts and hopes toward the living God of all creation. We come together to celebrate the life and faith of Norma. We come together in grief as we sense our personal loss of love and affection through years of mutual laughter and tears, tough times and joyful times.
Mrs. Howard was married to Edwin Charles Howard, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her son, Ronald Charles Howard, her daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Boggan Howard, and by her grandchildren, Michael Charles Howard and Michelle Elizabeth Howard of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
May God grant us grace, that in pain we may find comfort, in sorrow hope, and in death the confident assurance of the resurrection.
Lord, in this moment we place Norma in the palms of your hands, I place this family and friends who have become like family through the years, in the palms of your hands. Draw us nearer to you and one another with the love of Christ. Be their good and gentle shepherd and lead them ever so gently in your ways today and the days ahead. As we draw near in faith to you, draw near to us and grant to this family (in your time and in your way) your perfect peace which your word tells us is beyond our understanding. Give them your strength for today and hope for tomorrow. May they lean on you and may they lean on each other with the love of Christ, who is the source of our peace and strength. Amen.
Norma Marian (Fritz) was born in 1919 and at the age of 91 went home to be with our Lord. By God's eternal grace and time, she continues to enjoy the life of a faith which has become sight. She took a rather circuitous route to find herself at the Riverchase Village Assisted Living Facility. I spoke with Ron about her exodus from Biloxi, MS after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. To make a long story short, it was none other than Billy Grahm who assisted her in making the move of furnishings from Biloxi to Hoover. Yes, it's true, it was Billy Grahm (not the evangelist), a driver from a wrecker company in Shelby County and a member of the North Shelby Baptist Congregation. Ron can tell you more of that story later…
I don't think that Norma would have considered her life extraordinary. She just lived a very full and meaningful life whose later years were "often brightened by visits from members of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church and its Pastor Emeritus, Otis Brooks. Otis arrived at Vestavia in 1969, the same year that Norma survived another Hurricane called Camille. Along with others who were born the same year that the Treaty of Versailles was signed (the war to end all wars), she lived through more than you or I might care to remember. Somewhat ironically, she was 10 years of age when the stock market crashed to begin what is called the Great Depression and ninety years old when the Global Financial Crisis and recession began. So, Norma, what is your advice to see us through these difficult times? More bingo and Bible Study?
There are times that I wish that this hallowed ground that we stand on today could speak to us and share the stories of our veterans who have served faithfully our God and country. Then, again, maybe not. Some standing with us today, have their own stories which they could share, but their stories may remain silent as well. I think we all know that war can bring out the best and worst of us. We want to make of this place a better world. We want to remember that God has a better plan in mind for his creation: a place where the lion and lamb can live together in peace and harmony. A place where we can experience God's healing love, mercy, grace and peace. As a nurse during WWII, Norma was one of 59,000 nurses who served in the Army Nurse Corps. She was a pioneer of sorts. In spite of their service, the Army Nursing Corps was not made a full branch of the regular Army until 1947. Recognition of military service was not the highest priority for her. Her fulfillment came by caring for the casualties brought to the states from the Pacific Theater. She could have told her war stories, too, but it seemed that only one was enough. And, that one said it all….. After the war, she worked for many years as an RN at Howard Memorial Hospital's nursing home in Biloxi. From her nursing experiences, I'm sure there were more stories ‘worth the telling.' You may have heard them….
Once a year, we have a blessing of the hands at Shelby Baptist Medical Center during hospital week. I think it appropriate to share with you the words of dedication which apply to Norma's life and nursing profession: Christ has no body now on earth but yours; no hands but yours; no feet but yours; yours are the eyes which Christ's compassion looks out into the world; yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good; yours are the hands with which he is to bless now.
Winston Churchill once said: We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. If we have the eyes to see and the ears to hear, Norma and her generation are in the process of remaking the lives of the generations to come. Honor her and her generation, by making your life a life of service to God and others.
Thank you, Lord, for blessing us with Norma's love of life and gift of healing. May your healing presence, O Lord, be the source of our peace in this moment. In the name and spirit of the risen, living Christ, we pray. Amen.
Mrs. Howard lived in Hattiesburg and Biloxi, Mississippi for most of her life. She worked as an R.N. for many years at Howard Memorial Hospital's nursing home in Biloxi, and rose to the rank of Major as a volunteer with the Civil Air Patrol. She survived Hurricane Camille, and following her retirement, moved to the Birmingham, Alabama, area to be near her family after her apartment building was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
Her last years were spent at the Riverchase Village Senior Living Community in Hoover, Alabama, where she enjoyed varied activities, from bingo to Bible study, with her many friends. Her days there were often brightened by visits from members of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church and its Pastor Emeritus, Otis Brooks.
Mrs. Howard was married to Edwin Charles Howard, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her son, Ronald Charles Howard, and her daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Boggan Howard of Pelham, Alabama, and by her grandchildren, Michael Charles Howard and Michelle Elizabeth Howard of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
A gathering of her family and friends will be held at Rockco Funeral Home in Montevallo, Alabama, at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, January, 25. Interment will follow at 2:00 PM at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, with a brief graveside service to be conducted by Gary Yarbrough, Director of Pastoral Care at Shelby Baptist Medical Center in Alabaster; Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, which are restricted at the Alabama National Cemetery, the family has requested that donations be made to the Lovelady Center in Birmingham.
GRAVESIDE SERVICE AS CONDUCTED BY GARY YARBROUGH, DIRECTOR OF PASTORAL CARE AT SHELBY BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011
As we begin our service of remembrance, let us bow for a moment of silence for the veterans who have served and continue to serve for God and country. [pause, Amen]
Norma Marian Howard was a nurse during WWII. According to the book entitled "The Army Nurse Corps," "the skill and dedication of these nurses contributed to the extremely low post-injury mortality rate among American military forces in every theater of the war. Overall, fewer than 4 percent of the American soldiers who received medical care in the field or underwent evacuation died from wounds or disease. …
Army nurses returning to civilian life discovered a changed postwar society. The place of women in American society had been irrevocably altered and expanded by the entrance of women into professional and industrial jobs previously reserved for men. Most important for nurses, however, was society's enhanced perception of nursing as a valued profession. The critical need for nurses and the federally funded Cadet Nurse Corps program had been well publicized during the war. Upon their return home, Army nurses were eligible for additional education under the G.I. Bill of Rights, which would enable them to pursue professional educational goals" (pp. 3, 31). Let us remember the healing ministries of those who have served in the Medical Corps, and today we lay Norma's body to rest in the Alabama National Cemetery.
Memorial Service for Norma Marian Fritz Howard
Dying, Christ destroyed our death. Rising, Christ restored our life. Christ will come again in glory. As in baptism, Norma Marian Howard put on Christ, so in Christ may she be clothed with glory. Here and now, we acknowledge God's presence with us. In the mystery of faith, what we shall be has not yet been revealed. But we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
Jesus said, I am the Resurrection and the Life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, yet shall they live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Because I live, you shall live also.
Read Psalm 23
We have gathered here to lift our hearts and hopes toward the living God of all creation. We come together to celebrate the life and faith of Norma. We come together in grief as we sense our personal loss of love and affection through years of mutual laughter and tears, tough times and joyful times.
Mrs. Howard was married to Edwin Charles Howard, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her son, Ronald Charles Howard, her daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Boggan Howard, and by her grandchildren, Michael Charles Howard and Michelle Elizabeth Howard of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
May God grant us grace, that in pain we may find comfort, in sorrow hope, and in death the confident assurance of the resurrection.
Lord, in this moment we place Norma in the palms of your hands, I place this family and friends who have become like family through the years, in the palms of your hands. Draw us nearer to you and one another with the love of Christ. Be their good and gentle shepherd and lead them ever so gently in your ways today and the days ahead. As we draw near in faith to you, draw near to us and grant to this family (in your time and in your way) your perfect peace which your word tells us is beyond our understanding. Give them your strength for today and hope for tomorrow. May they lean on you and may they lean on each other with the love of Christ, who is the source of our peace and strength. Amen.
Norma Marian (Fritz) was born in 1919 and at the age of 91 went home to be with our Lord. By God's eternal grace and time, she continues to enjoy the life of a faith which has become sight. She took a rather circuitous route to find herself at the Riverchase Village Assisted Living Facility. I spoke with Ron about her exodus from Biloxi, MS after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. To make a long story short, it was none other than Billy Grahm who assisted her in making the move of furnishings from Biloxi to Hoover. Yes, it's true, it was Billy Grahm (not the evangelist), a driver from a wrecker company in Shelby County and a member of the North Shelby Baptist Congregation. Ron can tell you more of that story later…
I don't think that Norma would have considered her life extraordinary. She just lived a very full and meaningful life whose later years were "often brightened by visits from members of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church and its Pastor Emeritus, Otis Brooks. Otis arrived at Vestavia in 1969, the same year that Norma survived another Hurricane called Camille. Along with others who were born the same year that the Treaty of Versailles was signed (the war to end all wars), she lived through more than you or I might care to remember. Somewhat ironically, she was 10 years of age when the stock market crashed to begin what is called the Great Depression and ninety years old when the Global Financial Crisis and recession began. So, Norma, what is your advice to see us through these difficult times? More bingo and Bible Study?
There are times that I wish that this hallowed ground that we stand on today could speak to us and share the stories of our veterans who have served faithfully our God and country. Then, again, maybe not. Some standing with us today, have their own stories which they could share, but their stories may remain silent as well. I think we all know that war can bring out the best and worst of us. We want to make of this place a better world. We want to remember that God has a better plan in mind for his creation: a place where the lion and lamb can live together in peace and harmony. A place where we can experience God's healing love, mercy, grace and peace. As a nurse during WWII, Norma was one of 59,000 nurses who served in the Army Nurse Corps. She was a pioneer of sorts. In spite of their service, the Army Nursing Corps was not made a full branch of the regular Army until 1947. Recognition of military service was not the highest priority for her. Her fulfillment came by caring for the casualties brought to the states from the Pacific Theater. She could have told her war stories, too, but it seemed that only one was enough. And, that one said it all….. After the war, she worked for many years as an RN at Howard Memorial Hospital's nursing home in Biloxi. From her nursing experiences, I'm sure there were more stories ‘worth the telling.' You may have heard them….
Once a year, we have a blessing of the hands at Shelby Baptist Medical Center during hospital week. I think it appropriate to share with you the words of dedication which apply to Norma's life and nursing profession: Christ has no body now on earth but yours; no hands but yours; no feet but yours; yours are the eyes which Christ's compassion looks out into the world; yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good; yours are the hands with which he is to bless now.
Winston Churchill once said: We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. If we have the eyes to see and the ears to hear, Norma and her generation are in the process of remaking the lives of the generations to come. Honor her and her generation, by making your life a life of service to God and others.
Thank you, Lord, for blessing us with Norma's love of life and gift of healing. May your healing presence, O Lord, be the source of our peace in this moment. In the name and spirit of the risen, living Christ, we pray. Amen.
On January 21, 2011, Norma Marian Fritz Howard, 91, went home to be with her Lord. Mrs. Howard was born on October 27, 1919, in Helena, Montana. She was raised by her adoptive mother, Claire Alice Wilson, a teacher in Auburn, Washington. She studied at the University of Washington and Tacoma General Hospital, graduating as a Registered Nurse. While employed at Harbor View Hospital, Seattle, Washington, she worked as a general duty, assistant head, and supervising nurse of the orthopedic section, and also supervised student nurses. During World War II, Mrs. Howard served as lieutenant in the U.S. Army, primarily nursing causalities from the Pacific Theater.
Mrs. Howard lived in Hattiesburg and Biloxi, Mississippi for most of her life. She worked as an R.N. for many years at Howard Memorial Hospital's nursing home in Biloxi, and rose to the rank of Major as a volunteer with the Civil Air Patrol. She survived Hurricane Camille, and following her retirement, moved to the Birmingham, Alabama, area to be near her family after her apartment building was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
Her last years were spent at the Riverchase Village Senior Living Community in Hoover, Alabama, where she enjoyed varied activities, from bingo to Bible study, with her many friends. Her days there were often brightened by visits from members of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church and its Pastor Emeritus, Otis Brooks.
Mrs. Howard was married to Edwin Charles Howard, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her son, Ronald Charles Howard, and her daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Boggan Howard of Pelham, Alabama, and by her grandchildren, Michael Charles Howard and Michelle Elizabeth Howard of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
A gathering of her family and friends will be held at Rockco Funeral Home in Montevallo, Alabama, at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, January, 25. Interment will follow at 2:00 PM at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, with a brief graveside service to be conducted by Gary Yarbrough, Director of Pastoral Care at Shelby Baptist Medical Center in Alabaster; Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, which are restricted at the Alabama National Cemetery, the family has requested that donations be made to the Lovelady Center in Birmingham.
GRAVESIDE SERVICE AS CONDUCTED BY GARY YARBROUGH, DIRECTOR OF PASTORAL CARE AT SHELBY BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011
As we begin our service of remembrance, let us bow for a moment of silence for the veterans who have served and continue to serve for God and country. [pause, Amen]
Norma Marian Howard was a nurse during WWII. According to the book entitled "The Army Nurse Corps," "the skill and dedication of these nurses contributed to the extremely low post-injury mortality rate among American military forces in every theater of the war. Overall, fewer than 4 percent of the American soldiers who received medical care in the field or underwent evacuation died from wounds or disease. …
Army nurses returning to civilian life discovered a changed postwar society. The place of women in American society had been irrevocably altered and expanded by the entrance of women into professional and industrial jobs previously reserved for men. Most important for nurses, however, was society's enhanced perception of nursing as a valued profession. The critical need for nurses and the federally funded Cadet Nurse Corps program had been well publicized during the war. Upon their return home, Army nurses were eligible for additional education under the G.I. Bill of Rights, which would enable them to pursue professional educational goals" (pp. 3, 31). Let us remember the healing ministries of those who have served in the Medical Corps, and today we lay Norma's body to rest in the Alabama National Cemetery.
Memorial Service for Norma Marian Fritz Howard
Dying, Christ destroyed our death. Rising, Christ restored our life. Christ will come again in glory. As in baptism, Norma Marian Howard put on Christ, so in Christ may she be clothed with glory. Here and now, we acknowledge God's presence with us. In the mystery of faith, what we shall be has not yet been revealed. But we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
Jesus said, I am the Resurrection and the Life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, yet shall they live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Because I live, you shall live also.
Read Psalm 23
We have gathered here to lift our hearts and hopes toward the living God of all creation. We come together to celebrate the life and faith of Norma. We come together in grief as we sense our personal loss of love and affection through years of mutual laughter and tears, tough times and joyful times.
Mrs. Howard was married to Edwin Charles Howard, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her son, Ronald Charles Howard, her daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Boggan Howard, and by her grandchildren, Michael Charles Howard and Michelle Elizabeth Howard of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
May God grant us grace, that in pain we may find comfort, in sorrow hope, and in death the confident assurance of the resurrection.
Lord, in this moment we place Norma in the palms of your hands, I place this family and friends who have become like family through the years, in the palms of your hands. Draw us nearer to you and one another with the love of Christ. Be their good and gentle shepherd and lead them ever so gently in your ways today and the days ahead. As we draw near in faith to you, draw near to us and grant to this family (in your time and in your way) your perfect peace which your word tells us is beyond our understanding. Give them your strength for today and hope for tomorrow. May they lean on you and may they lean on each other with the love of Christ, who is the source of our peace and strength. Amen.
Norma Marian (Fritz) was born in 1919 and at the age of 91 went home to be with our Lord. By God's eternal grace and time, she continues to enjoy the life of a faith which has become sight. She took a rather circuitous route to find herself at the Riverchase Village Assisted Living Facility. I spoke with Ron about her exodus from Biloxi, MS after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. To make a long story short, it was none other than Billy Grahm who assisted her in making the move of furnishings from Biloxi to Hoover. Yes, it's true, it was Billy Grahm (not the evangelist), a driver from a wrecker company in Shelby County and a member of the North Shelby Baptist Congregation. Ron can tell you more of that story later…
I don't think that Norma would have considered her life extraordinary. She just lived a very full and meaningful life whose later years were "often brightened by visits from members of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church and its Pastor Emeritus, Otis Brooks. Otis arrived at Vestavia in 1969, the same year that Norma survived another Hurricane called Camille. Along with others who were born the same year that the Treaty of Versailles was signed (the war to end all wars), she lived through more than you or I might care to remember. Somewhat ironically, she was 10 years of age when the stock market crashed to begin what is called the Great Depression and ninety years old when the Global Financial Crisis and recession began. So, Norma, what is your advice to see us through these difficult times? More bingo and Bible Study?
There are times that I wish that this hallowed ground that we stand on today could speak to us and share the stories of our veterans who have served faithfully our God and country. Then, again, maybe not. Some standing with us today, have their own stories which they could share, but their stories may remain silent as well. I think we all know that war can bring out the best and worst of us. We want to make of this place a better world. We want to remember that God has a better plan in mind for his creation: a place where the lion and lamb can live together in peace and harmony. A place where we can experience God's healing love, mercy, grace and peace. As a nurse during WWII, Norma was one of 59,000 nurses who served in the Army Nurse Corps. She was a pioneer of sorts. In spite of their service, the Army Nursing Corps was not made a full branch of the regular Army until 1947. Recognition of military service was not the highest priority for her. Her fulfillment came by caring for the casualties brought to the states from the Pacific Theater. She could have told her war stories, too, but it seemed that only one was enough. And, that one said it all….. After the war, she worked for many years as an RN at Howard Memorial Hospital's nursing home in Biloxi. From her nursing experiences, I'm sure there were more stories ‘worth the telling.' You may have heard them….
Once a year, we have a blessing of the hands at Shelby Baptist Medical Center during hospital week. I think it appropriate to share with you the words of dedication which apply to Norma's life and nursing profession: Christ has no body now on earth but yours; no hands but yours; no feet but yours; yours are the eyes which Christ's compassion looks out into the world; yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good; yours are the hands with which he is to bless now.
Winston Churchill once said: We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. If we have the eyes to see and the ears to hear, Norma and her generation are in the process of remaking the lives of the generations to come. Honor her and her generation, by making your life a life of service to God and others.
Thank you, Lord, for blessing us with Norma's love of life and gift of healing. May your healing presence, O Lord, be the source of our peace in this moment. In the name and spirit of the risen, living Christ, we pray. Amen.
Mrs. Howard lived in Hattiesburg and Biloxi, Mississippi for most of her life. She worked as an R.N. for many years at Howard Memorial Hospital's nursing home in Biloxi, and rose to the rank of Major as a volunteer with the Civil Air Patrol. She survived Hurricane Camille, and following her retirement, moved to the Birmingham, Alabama, area to be near her family after her apartment building was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
Her last years were spent at the Riverchase Village Senior Living Community in Hoover, Alabama, where she enjoyed varied activities, from bingo to Bible study, with her many friends. Her days there were often brightened by visits from members of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church and its Pastor Emeritus, Otis Brooks.
Mrs. Howard was married to Edwin Charles Howard, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her son, Ronald Charles Howard, and her daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Boggan Howard of Pelham, Alabama, and by her grandchildren, Michael Charles Howard and Michelle Elizabeth Howard of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
A gathering of her family and friends will be held at Rockco Funeral Home in Montevallo, Alabama, at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, January, 25. Interment will follow at 2:00 PM at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, with a brief graveside service to be conducted by Gary Yarbrough, Director of Pastoral Care at Shelby Baptist Medical Center in Alabaster; Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, which are restricted at the Alabama National Cemetery, the family has requested that donations be made to the Lovelady Center in Birmingham.
GRAVESIDE SERVICE AS CONDUCTED BY GARY YARBROUGH, DIRECTOR OF PASTORAL CARE AT SHELBY BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011
As we begin our service of remembrance, let us bow for a moment of silence for the veterans who have served and continue to serve for God and country. [pause, Amen]
Norma Marian Howard was a nurse during WWII. According to the book entitled "The Army Nurse Corps," "the skill and dedication of these nurses contributed to the extremely low post-injury mortality rate among American military forces in every theater of the war. Overall, fewer than 4 percent of the American soldiers who received medical care in the field or underwent evacuation died from wounds or disease. …
Army nurses returning to civilian life discovered a changed postwar society. The place of women in American society had been irrevocably altered and expanded by the entrance of women into professional and industrial jobs previously reserved for men. Most important for nurses, however, was society's enhanced perception of nursing as a valued profession. The critical need for nurses and the federally funded Cadet Nurse Corps program had been well publicized during the war. Upon their return home, Army nurses were eligible for additional education under the G.I. Bill of Rights, which would enable them to pursue professional educational goals" (pp. 3, 31). Let us remember the healing ministries of those who have served in the Medical Corps, and today we lay Norma's body to rest in the Alabama National Cemetery.
Memorial Service for Norma Marian Fritz Howard
Dying, Christ destroyed our death. Rising, Christ restored our life. Christ will come again in glory. As in baptism, Norma Marian Howard put on Christ, so in Christ may she be clothed with glory. Here and now, we acknowledge God's presence with us. In the mystery of faith, what we shall be has not yet been revealed. But we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
Jesus said, I am the Resurrection and the Life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, yet shall they live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Because I live, you shall live also.
Read Psalm 23
We have gathered here to lift our hearts and hopes toward the living God of all creation. We come together to celebrate the life and faith of Norma. We come together in grief as we sense our personal loss of love and affection through years of mutual laughter and tears, tough times and joyful times.
Mrs. Howard was married to Edwin Charles Howard, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her son, Ronald Charles Howard, her daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Boggan Howard, and by her grandchildren, Michael Charles Howard and Michelle Elizabeth Howard of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
May God grant us grace, that in pain we may find comfort, in sorrow hope, and in death the confident assurance of the resurrection.
Lord, in this moment we place Norma in the palms of your hands, I place this family and friends who have become like family through the years, in the palms of your hands. Draw us nearer to you and one another with the love of Christ. Be their good and gentle shepherd and lead them ever so gently in your ways today and the days ahead. As we draw near in faith to you, draw near to us and grant to this family (in your time and in your way) your perfect peace which your word tells us is beyond our understanding. Give them your strength for today and hope for tomorrow. May they lean on you and may they lean on each other with the love of Christ, who is the source of our peace and strength. Amen.
Norma Marian (Fritz) was born in 1919 and at the age of 91 went home to be with our Lord. By God's eternal grace and time, she continues to enjoy the life of a faith which has become sight. She took a rather circuitous route to find herself at the Riverchase Village Assisted Living Facility. I spoke with Ron about her exodus from Biloxi, MS after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. To make a long story short, it was none other than Billy Grahm who assisted her in making the move of furnishings from Biloxi to Hoover. Yes, it's true, it was Billy Grahm (not the evangelist), a driver from a wrecker company in Shelby County and a member of the North Shelby Baptist Congregation. Ron can tell you more of that story later…
I don't think that Norma would have considered her life extraordinary. She just lived a very full and meaningful life whose later years were "often brightened by visits from members of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church and its Pastor Emeritus, Otis Brooks. Otis arrived at Vestavia in 1969, the same year that Norma survived another Hurricane called Camille. Along with others who were born the same year that the Treaty of Versailles was signed (the war to end all wars), she lived through more than you or I might care to remember. Somewhat ironically, she was 10 years of age when the stock market crashed to begin what is called the Great Depression and ninety years old when the Global Financial Crisis and recession began. So, Norma, what is your advice to see us through these difficult times? More bingo and Bible Study?
There are times that I wish that this hallowed ground that we stand on today could speak to us and share the stories of our veterans who have served faithfully our God and country. Then, again, maybe not. Some standing with us today, have their own stories which they could share, but their stories may remain silent as well. I think we all know that war can bring out the best and worst of us. We want to make of this place a better world. We want to remember that God has a better plan in mind for his creation: a place where the lion and lamb can live together in peace and harmony. A place where we can experience God's healing love, mercy, grace and peace. As a nurse during WWII, Norma was one of 59,000 nurses who served in the Army Nurse Corps. She was a pioneer of sorts. In spite of their service, the Army Nursing Corps was not made a full branch of the regular Army until 1947. Recognition of military service was not the highest priority for her. Her fulfillment came by caring for the casualties brought to the states from the Pacific Theater. She could have told her war stories, too, but it seemed that only one was enough. And, that one said it all….. After the war, she worked for many years as an RN at Howard Memorial Hospital's nursing home in Biloxi. From her nursing experiences, I'm sure there were more stories ‘worth the telling.' You may have heard them….
Once a year, we have a blessing of the hands at Shelby Baptist Medical Center during hospital week. I think it appropriate to share with you the words of dedication which apply to Norma's life and nursing profession: Christ has no body now on earth but yours; no hands but yours; no feet but yours; yours are the eyes which Christ's compassion looks out into the world; yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good; yours are the hands with which he is to bless now.
Winston Churchill once said: We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. If we have the eyes to see and the ears to hear, Norma and her generation are in the process of remaking the lives of the generations to come. Honor her and her generation, by making your life a life of service to God and others.
Thank you, Lord, for blessing us with Norma's love of life and gift of healing. May your healing presence, O Lord, be the source of our peace in this moment. In the name and spirit of the risen, living Christ, we pray. Amen.
Inscription
NORMA
MARIAN
HOWARD
2LT
US ARMY
WORLD WAR II
OCT 27 1919
JAN 21 2011
CARING NURSE
LOVING MOTHER
ADORING GRANDMA
