Norma Verl Houser

Norma Verl Yearwood Houser was born June 29, 1941, in Washington, DC, the first of four children born to the late Joseph Norman Yearwood Jr. and the late Verl Muriel Spriggs Yearwood. She began her formal education, in Brooklyn, New York, at PS 3 and PS 138, followed by Park View Elementary School and MacFarland Junior High School in the District of Columbia. She graduated from Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior High School in 1959 and studied at DC Teachers College (now University of the District of Columbia).

Norma’s relationship with God began at a very early age facilitated by her grandfather, Rev. Joseph N. Yearwood Sr., a Methodist minister. She enjoyed attending church and was active at Asbury Methodist Church (now Asbury United Methodist Church) participating in Sunday school and the Methodist Youth Fellowship Program (MYF).

She was joined in Holy Matrimony to Everett Dean Houser Sr. on March 6, 1966. From this blessed union came four children: Sherri Denise, Everett Dean Jr., Anita Yvette, and Bryan Garnett. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and cousin, she loved her family deeply.

Her passion for helping others led her into the altruistic profession of health care, first at Children’s Hospital (now Children’s National Medical Center), Washington, DC, and then onto a 30-year career at Holy Cross Hospital, Silver Spring, MD, retiring from the role of Unit Coordinator, Post Anesthesia Care Unit. During her tenure she received awards for outstanding performance and dedicated service.

Like everything she did, she did it from the core of her heart. From her family to her career. With a "Heart for the Ages" she went above and beyond embodying the meaning of Mother.

Her sense of motherly care and incredibly nurturing spirit was unlike anything we've ever seen or experienced. For her it came naturally, it was simply her being who she was. She reminded us daily of the love and care of a mother, its importance, its sacredness, its necessity.

Even amidst moments of discomfort and pain, she found great joy in spending time with family and friends. Her life taught us lessons about love, devotion, compassion, patience, resilience and acceptance.

Nothing made her happier than to see her family gathered together for a holiday or other fun event. She enjoyed the simple pleasures of spending time with family, cooking, traveling and trying out new restaurants. She liked being by the water and taking drives to Annapolis and the Eastern Shore for dinner or to just take in the scenic view.

She wouldn’t sit still too long. She relished short day trips, or just getting out of the house for a ride. Her hobbies included painting, crocheting, macrame, cooking up new recipes and baking as well.

What made her so uniquely "Moie" and “Mama Houser” to so many? Her sense of humor, her generosity, her care and concern for others, her nurturing spirit, her protective nature, her calming grace.

Our treasured and beloved Norma (Moie) completed her earthly journey on Wednesday, October 19, at 5:11 pm at her home. It was a particularly bright and beautiful autumn day with a brilliant sun and clear blue skies.

Nothing provided a clue or hint that the biggest heart, and most loving soul we've ever known would suddenly and quietly slip away into God's loving embrace.

The family thanks God for her life, for the standards she set, for the lessons she taught, and for the legacy she leaves. Those of us who knew her know that God loaned us one of His angels. In one way or another all of us have been moved, inspired, forever changed and made better by her ever-present love, her motherly care, uncanny intuition, and a heart that knew no bounds. She was the perfect example of "motherly love".

Norma leaves to cherish her memory her husband Everett, daughters, Sherri and Anita (Harry IV), sons, Everett Jr and Bryan (Nazrina), brother, Joseph III, sister, Melita, grandchildren, Christa, Chanie, Everett III, and Harry V, great-grandson Aiden, an aunt, Carol, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who loved her dearly. She was predeceased by a brother, Warren.