Charles Larry (Chuck) Norwood

RALEIGH-Charles Larry (Chuck) Norwood, age 73, passed away unexpectedly at home in Raleigh, NC, on September 30, 2016.  Chuck was born July 7, 1943, in Chapel Hill, NC.  He loved to recall growing up there when it felt more like a village.  The UNC campus and places like Woollen Gym and Coker Arboretum were his playground. After graduating from CHHS in 1961, he headed (with one suitcase and a duffle bag) to ECU on a swimming scholarship.  There he bonded with swim team members from all over the southeast and continued to see them throughout his life.  In 1969 he received an MA ED degree from ECU. In the early 1970’s Chuck moved to Raleigh and worked in the real estate profession for most of his professional life.  He made many friends and contacts playing basketball at the YMCA on Hillsoborough Street and was active in the Raleigh Board of Realtors and president of MLS in 1984 Chuck met Bev, the love of his life, on a blind date in Bradenton Florida.  They were married in 1982 at Orange Methodist Church in Chapel Hill.  Chuck’s laid back personality was a good complement to Bev’s high energy personality. Chuck will be remembered for his kind spirit, sense of humor, and great hugs!  He embraced retirement and had an active life playing golf, doing crossword puzzles, bicycling with Bev, and especially, feeding the feral cats at Pullen Park. Chuck was preceded in death by his father and mother Larry Hall Norwood and Hilda Mills Burch, and sister Linda Kitchens.  He is survived by his wife of 34 years Beverly (Bev) Ann Norwood, sister Joan Sylvester (John), brothers Vernon Graham Burch (Linda) and David Burch (Cindy), son Charles Edward Norwood (Melissa), grandchildren Wesley and Anna Norwood, and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, October 4, 2016, at 11:00 am at Hayes Barton United Methodist Church at 2209 Fairview Road, Raleigh, NC.  Family will receive friends in the fellowship hall following the ceremony. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a cat rescue shelter of your choice.