Ross Norwood

ROSS NORWOOD was born on August 23, 1935 in Waxhaw, North Carolina to the late Heath and Whitelow (Kilgo) Norwood. He departed this life on March 10, 2024 after a series of illnesses. He attended Waxhaw public schools, graduating from Waxhaw High School, and he had fond memories of working on his family’s farm. After moving to Charlotte, North Carolina, he met and married Cora Lee Williams in 1958. They had one child, then divorced in 1961. By the mid-1960s, Ross moved to Baltimore where he worked for a Sealy Mattress manufacturing facility, among other jobs, including rental property repair and maintenance. For over ten years he lived near Johns Hopkins Hospital in East Baltimore, where in his spare time he found and repaired discarded bicycles for children in the neighborhood. On June 30, 1979, he married Juanita Lyles and moved to Northwest Baltimore, where he became active in civic organizations, including the Communities Planning & Housing Association (CPHA). He was presented a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Park Heights Networking Community in 1996. Despite an increasing loss of vision since his teenage years, Ross was accomplished in many personal endeavors. He was a talented musician who loved blues, jazz and gospel music. He played guitar in several groups, and one night he was a backup player for James Brown. In 1982, he completed training in auto mechanics through the Maryland Rehabilitation Center and was employed in the field for several years. He enjoyed working with his hands on all kinds of home repair projects, and away from home he had a special love for fishing. He also attended workshops in computing and life skills at Blind Industries & Services of Maryland. Ross was co-founder of the House of Prayer of Restoration church, where he served as Deacon. He had also been a member of the Evangelical Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by Juanita Lyles Norwood and Cora Lee Williams Norwood Jackson (Maurice) Hubbard, as well as sisters Blanche Pitts, Mayo Lavern Kilgo-Earl, Virginia Shippy, and Stella Norwood, and one brother Robert Lee Norwood. Ross leaves to cherish his memories: a loving daughter, Sherry Norwood-(Eugene) Phelps; a devoted son, Brian Davis Lyles; two granddaughters, six great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; a brother James McGee; a great uncle Walker Norwood, Jr.; a sister-in-law Sarah Norwood; a special cousin Lundeen Cureton; and a host of other cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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Ross Norwood

August 23, 1935 - March 10, 2024