Emily J Norton

Emily Jo Norton, of Chesterfield County, died on January 6, 2013, at the age of 83. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, William H. Norton, Jr.; her parents, Charles Sherman Ward and Mary B. Ward of Lee County, Va.; three brothers, C. S. Ward, Jr., of Baltimore, Md., Olin M. Ward, and William B. Ward, both of Lee County, Va.; and a sister, Chrystelle Willis, of Wake Forest, N.C. She is survived by her daughter, Terri N. Sullivan, and her husband, C. Randolph Sullivan, and two grandsons, Andrew and Noah Sullivan, all of Richmond, Va.; a sister, Maurine Brown of Lee County, Va.; and many nieces and nephews who were very special to her. Mrs. Norton graduated from Radford University and completed her work in Library Science at the University of Delaware and Virginia Commonwealth University. She taught at Fieldale High School, Fieldale, Va., Martinsville High School, Martinsville, Va., Lee Davis High School, Mechanicsville, Va., Henrico High School and Tuckahoe Middle School in Henrico, Va., and Sussex and New Castle counties in Delaware. She completed her career in education as a librarian at Byrd Middle School in Henrico County. Although Mrs. Norton enjoyed teaching, she felt she was able to reach all the students in the school as a librarian. Her main educational goal was to encourage her students to read. She felt reading opened a window of learning for all students. She enjoyed promoting her activities in teaching and library science at local, state, and national conferences. After retiring, she spent time traveling, gardening, and reading. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with, and introducing books to, her grandsons, Andrew and Noah. The family will receive friends from 11:30 to 1:30pm, on Sunday, January 13, at the Huguenot Chapel of Woody Funeral Home, 1020 Huguenot Rd. A service will be held at the mausoleum for family and friends at Dale Memorial Park, 10201 Newbys Bridge Road, Chesterfield County, Va., at 2:30 pm on Sunday, January 13, 2013. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. Condolences at: www.woodyfuneralhomehuguenot.com