Rev. W. Norwood Green, Sr.

The Rev. W. Norwood Green, Sr. was promoted into the higher service of his Lord c. 5:00 p.m., Friday, February 12th, his 94th birthday.

Norwood was the 2nd of three children born to Winston-Salem residents, Luther ""Luke"" and Mary Easter Green. He grew up in the area of Winston-Salem surrounding the old Arista cotton mill, and was baptized as an infant at Pine Chapel Moravian Church. As he grew, he became increasingly active in the church, and served on the gospel team that provided Pine Chapel and other area churches with music and preaching.

Following his graduation from James A. Gray High School, Norwood enlisted in the United States Army. He twice rose to the rank of Staff Sgt., let the reader understand, and held that rank as a member of the Normandy invasion force, landing at Utah Beach on ""D plus 1."" Norwood was subsequently decorated for his service under fire as a medic, served throughout the war in Europe, and was a part of the Army of Occupation.

On December 26, 1946 Norwood Married Henrietta Stout. They had one son, Worth Norwood Green, Jr., and one daughter-in-love, Elayne Durham Green. Norwood graduated from Mars Hill College, Moravian College, and Moravian Theological Seminary. Following his ordination in the Moravian Church, he served pastorates at Enterprise, Hopewell, New Eden, Pine Chapel, Hope (Indiana), Friedberg, and Friedland Moravian Churches. Following his ""retirement"" at the age of 67, he served 14 years as the chaplain of Salemtowne Moravian Retirement Community, did a partially overlapping 15 year ""interim"" at Memorial Reformed Church, continued to support the volunteer chaplaincy at Forsyth Memorial Hospital, and helped supply bicycles to hundreds of deserving children. For most of his adult life, Norwood was an avid golfer, earning the title ""the man of 1,000 swings."" Once, at a Moravian Minister's conference, he chipped three in the hole on one round. He enjoyed all things Moravian, running, exercise in general, books & bargains, the Winston-Salem Symphony, the Washington Redskins (by any name), the New York Yankees, Swingin' Sammy Snead, and the John Ford epic, ""The Quiet Man.""

""He never met a stranger, never looked down upon another, and was a prince among men."" Above all, Norwood Green was ""an ambassador for Christ,"" who lived the best sermon he ever preached. His second best sermon fit into a sentence: ""God loves you,"" he said, ""and I know it is so, because God loves a rascal like me.""

Worth Norwood Green, Sr. was preceded in death by his parents; by his younger brother, Darryl Green, who died in an accident as a boy; by his brother Paul Green, a Battalion Chief and instructor in the Winston-Salem Fire Department, and wife Lola; and by many dear friends, especially, Principal John S. Holleman, Sr. and Dr. F.I. Dorsett. Norwood is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Henrietta; by one son, Worth Norwood Green, Jr., and wife Elayne of Winston-Salem; by two grandchildren, Jonathan Worth Green, and wife Lindsay of Boston, Mass.; and Edyth Anne Green Berry, and husband Jason, of Boone, N.C.; and by four great-grandchildren, Madison Averette Green, Worth Harrison Green, Caroline Louise Green, and Silas Richard Berry. He is also survived by several special cousins, including Commander Maxine Easter, USN Ret.; by several nieces and nephews; by a hosts of friends; and by many fellow workers in the vineyard of the Lord. The family wishes to thank all those friends, old and new, all his sitters, and all the professionals at Community Hospice and Brookdale Senior Living who made Brother Norwood's final days in this world not just bearable, but graceful. A special thanks goes out to Norwood's sister-in-law, Lee Smith who was present with her sister Henrietta at his death. Following a private family interment at Friedberg Moravian Church, a memorial service will be led by the Rev. Scott Venerable at Fairview Moravian Church at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 19th. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sunnyside Ministry of the Moravian Church.

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