Obituary of June Helene Norwood

On November 5th, June Helene Norwood was called to the embrace of the Lord and departed this life to enter into glory. She was born to George and Mary Collins on 10th day of June in the Year of Our Lord 1923. Warren G. Harding was still president of the United States when baby June’s first cry could be heard from her parent’s home on the corner of Gladwyne and Park Avenues in Pennsauken, New Jersey. Born the ninth of ten siblings, all of whom she was destined to outlive. A child of the church, her life has been intertwined with her beloved congregation. Little June would enjoy spending time going through her mother’s hymnals, quietly singing the songs that would become her life’s testimony. At the time of her passing, she was the oldest member of the congregation, and the only one who could recall the how the church moved from the original “Jordantown” church building to the site of the current Bethel-Hosanna Church, where on July 13, 1947, under the pastoral leadership of Rev. R. B. Smith, she professed saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. She recalls that a visiting minister, Rev. Jones, was playing the “new” hymn “Yes God is Real” on the piano as she came forward during the call to repentance. June served her church as a stewardess and member of the Jane Anderson Missionary Society for forty years, eventually being granted the honorary title of “mother” of the congregation (a title she also held at the Ujima Village Church of Ewing, New Jersey, where her youngest son is pastor). She chronicled the history of her church in her journals, listing the pastors, and recording the events and even the sermon titles over the decades. June attended the Jordantown Elementary School, Pennsauken Junior High School, and Merchantville High School. In her youth, she loved to roller-skate, but was always too shy to dance. She loved listening to the music of “The Platters” and Nat King Cole. June was known for making delicious lemon meringue pies and cherry cheese pies, the recipes of which she passed on to a new generation within the family. Many family members and loved ones were blessed to receive her crocheted afghan blankets, which were always made with love. Through to her final months, she kept her mind sharp doing crossword puzzles, playing scrabble, and deciphering the daily “crypto-quote.” June enjoyed a good joke and a hearty laugh, from her mid-nineties, she would often poke fun about having to get rid of her imaginary “good-for-nothing - freeloading boyfriend,” who she called “Rufus.” On February 23, 1957, June married the love of her life, John R. Norwood. They would spend 27 happy years together until John’s passing in 1984. John, the owner and operator of Norwood’s Barber Shop in Camden for over fifty years, was also a vestryman at the Saint Augustine Episcopal Church of Camden. While each remained faithful to their own congregations, they also avidly supported and attended one another’s church. Always a hard worker from in her youth, in addition to raising a family, she aslo held various jobs over the years. When most people retire, at the “tender” age of 75, June began working for “Experience Works” as a mail clerk at the Social Security Administration, a job she would keep for nineteen years. To celebrate her retirement, a 94-year-old June got a brand-new Mazda to start her next chapter in life, riding in style. Though never one for the spotlight, preferring helping behind the scenes, June was featured in a 2003 news article on Moorestown Ecumenical Neighborhood Development (MEND) and again this past September in celebration of her 100th year and being the longest resident of her building. At her passing, she was the oldest living member of the Collins family. June was predeceased by her beloved husband John, her step-daughter Joan, and four grandchildren. June leaves to mourn three sons, Melvin (Florence), Charles, and John Jr (Tanya); many grandchildren; a growing number of great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. June testified that she had many trials and tribulations throughout her life, and the Lord brought her through them all. She would say, “Jesus has always made a way!” When asked to name her favorite scripture verse, she would gladly respond, “All of them!” However, she was particularly fond of the 23rd Psalm, for the Lord was, and is, her shepherd. The Homegoing Service will be on Thursday, November 16. Viewing at 9AM, Funeral Service at 11 AM at Bethel-Hosanna AME Church, 8216 Park Ave., Pennsauken, NJ. Internment at Lakeview Memorial Cemetery. The Family asks that in lieu of flowers, please make donations to the “Bethel-Hosanna Building Fund” at https://www.bethelhosanna.org/give