Finally, she asked us all to celebrate the miracle of life and thank God for our blessings. They picked up a bottle of whiskey and went out drinking and dancing at a local American Legion hall. She had eight children, ten grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Norma Padgett of Clarendon Hills, Illinois, who passed away on July 1, 2022, leaving to mourn family and friends. In 1998, Jamess health was failing. If they call them rapists, then our name becomes that of a rapist. Instead, the jury was left with the improper suggestion that Walter Irvins pants contained evidence of the rape for which he was ultimately convicted.. Family and friends can send flowers and condolences in memory of the loved one. The past he simply buried. She lives in Georgia and had not spoken publicly about what happened since Irvins second trial until Friday. Thousands of dollars worth of tools and farm equipment were stolen from a still-smoldering shed, and the Shepherds were forced to flee Lake County, holing up at a relatives home in Orlando. Vivian Shepherd was living in Gainesville in 1998 when she received a Monday night telephone call from her mother. Jurors were never told that a doctor who examined Padgett was unable to conclude that she was raped. She was predeceased by : her father Vance Hunter. They were handcuffed together when, according to McCall, he stopped the car to check a tire and they tried to escape, so he shot them. Norma started life as it ended - sincerely loved by all around her. Service July 12, 1 PM at Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA. There is a problem with your email/password. When one of the suspects, 25-year-old Earnest Thomas, fled north, Sheriff Willis McCall appointed a posse, which chased him down and left his bullet-riddled body in the woods 200 miles away. It will be published after careful moderation. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. Visitation will be Monday, July 11, 2022 at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 64 Norfolk Avenue, Clarendon Hills from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Clarendon Hills Cemetery, Darien. She loved to make people smile. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel), Hearing on Identity Theft Charges for Mother of Missing Oakville Girl Postponed, Washington Was First State to Legalize Right Turns at Red Light, But a New House Bill Could Reverse That, Walsh Bill Allowing Family Burials on Private Land Unanimously Passes State House, Supreme Living Backs Off Plans for Sex Offender Housing Near Tenino, Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions. The Groveland Four is a part of Lake County history, and we want to cover it, good and bad, said Marli Wilkins-Lopez, who works there. All have preceded her in joining God. They knocked down his fences and allowed their cattle to graze on his land, destroying Shepherds crops just before harvest. Hermon Lutheran Church Cemetery, 3011 Leaphart Road, West Columbia, SC 29169. . Norma Padgett and her husband Willie after questioning by the states attorney, in a 1949 newspaper clipping. Ron DeSantis, he and the other three members of the state clemency board unanimously granted pardons to the Groveland Four. For some in the town, the book was a call to action. Historians and authors have theorized that Padgett and her husband, whom she divorced in 1958 and died some years later, came up with the story of the rape to explain away a volatile relationship. Perhaps of all the cases my father worked on, this one haunted him for many, many years. Sorry! Alene could see a man waiting by his car on the street. Echovita Inc is a registered trademark. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. Nana found great joy in her 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. John Cherwa is a special contributor to the Los Angeles Times. On July 17, Norma and Willie decided to try and patch things up. You cant bring them back. Vivian Shepherd has stayed in Lake County and lives in nearby Clermont. This page is a cache taken from the public sources. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. A system error has occurred. As word of the allegations got out, the Ku Klux Klan descended on Groveland, shooting at the houses of black people or burning them down. Family and friends can send flowers and condolences in memory of the loved one. Online condolences may be made at www.woodlawnfuneral.org. I was 17 years old and it never left my mind. On Friday, in one of the first acts of newly elected Florida Gov. . The larger Lake County Historical Society in nearby Tavares features one small exhibit. Norma and the man drove away. A memorial service will be held Friday, July 12, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home. She is looking forward to seeing all of us in Heaven. The pain was too great, and like so many victims of racial terror and brutality in the Jim Crow South, the Shepherds remained silent, not wanting to poison their own childrens hearts with stories of hatred. Failed to delete memorial. Norma Jean Padgett Norma Jean Padgett, age 78, of Dale, passed away at 12:35 a.m., on Thursday, November 8, 2018, at Scenic Hills Care Center in Ferdinand. Private graveside services honoring the life of Norma Beth Martin Padgett were held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at Mt. Two years ago, the Groveland City Council made a proclamation apologizing for what happened to the four men. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. We are confident she would love seeing a smile on your face as you read her obituary. Receive obituaries from the city or cities of your choice. He was trouble. I am the victim, she told the clemency board. Try again later. Her songs could leave you laughing hysterically (or wondering why she never found her way to Nashville). All have preceded her in joining God. From the time she was a girl, Vivian Shepherd was haunted by the World War II photograph of her uncle Samuel, stern-faced with his Army cap slightly cocked. Norma had a capacity to love that defies description. Beloved wife to the love of her life, the late Robert Babin Padgett. Within hours, Samuel Shepherd and Walter Irvin, 22-year-old childhood friends and army buddies from Groveland, were arrested, taken into the basement beneath the Lake County jail, and severely beaten by deputies. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHALL WE HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE USE OF THE SITE. She picked up some yogurt in the cafeteria, quickly ate it, and then rushed back up to the fourth floor, where guards told her that the legislative session had already commenced. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Friends will be received on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Kesterson-Rush Funeral Home, LLC. Ron DeSantis and his Cabinet, Padgett spoke from a wheelchair, pleading with the panel, Im begging you all not to give them pardon because they done it.. She and Fred adored each other. Weeks from his last moments on earth, when his heart would ultimately fail him, James Shepherd said he had heard Norma concede what hed known all along. Gov. She always said her happiest moments in life were when she was cuddling babies, and God gave her many to love. "If the state wants to apologize for their treatment during and after their apprehension[,] fine," one family member wrote. Marshall, convinced that the jury would once again convict, and convinced that the judge would once again sentence his client to death, urged Irvin to accept the plea. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). All copyright belongs to the respective owners. Family members linked to this person will appear here. With tears that turned to sobs, the broken-hearted niece of Samuel Shepherd was enveloped by family hugs. 360-736-3311, Relatives of the Groveland Four gather at the just-unveiled monument in front of the Lake County historical courthouse in Tavares, Fla., Friday, February 21, 2020. She later claimed she had also been raped. Their marriage was rocky from the start. They tell me my chickens and ducks are all gone, Shepherd said at the time, reduced to mumbling that he wanted no more trouble.. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. Her hugs could make a rainy day seem like a warm summer sunrise. January 31, 2022 Would you like to offer Norma Lees loved ones a condolence message? In 1955, after the prosecutor said he had doubts about the conviction, the governor commuted the sentence to life in prison. Born to Alpha and Loretta Padgett on June 2, 1931, in Miami, Oklahoma, Norma grew up with a sister, Jean, and two brothers, Richard and Don. Failed to remove flower. Many people in Normas life patients, parishioners, and family - said she was a saint of God. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. In 1972, he was serving his seventh term as sheriff when he was indicted for the murder of a mentally disabled black prisoner while in custody. Philip Lee Padgett Philip Lee Padgett, 66, of Orleans, passed away at 12:15 PM on September 30, 2020 at IU Health Hospital in Paoli. That was a moment in time that I was supposed to be Beloved wife to the love of her. A unique and lasting tribute for a loved one. 11, 2019. We are talking endless love, world-class hugs, sidesplitting funny songs and prayer with an amazing track record. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Samuel had been dead nearly 50 years, and despite Jamess reputation as a man of character and faith, the Shepherd name remained tainted in Lake County; Willis McCalls rendition of the Groveland story became the version that endured. On a nearby television monitor, she could see Rep. Bobby DuBose addressing the families. In 1949, they were accused of raping a white 17-year-old and variously subjected to mob attacks, beatings by officials and summary execution by the Lake County sheriff. The Klansmen came looking to kill my whole family, Vivian Shepherd said. They owned an RV and traveled the U.S. on many memorable vacations. Copyright 2010 - 23 Toon Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. He was born August 23, 1954 in Bedford, IN, the son of Daniel Lewis and Norma Jean (Tolbert) Padgett. The sheriff picked up the two men at the state prison to drive them back to Lake County for the retrial. (86 years old). Carol Greenlee, daughter of Charles Greenlee, wept and fell into the arms of family members outside the courtroom. He was defeated in the next election. Then hed made up his mind. For the Shepherds, there was no going back to Groveland anyway. But theyve hit a snag, Student debt is a crisis: Activists rally outside Supreme Court for loan forgiveness, Tensions rise in Nigeria as opposition demands new vote. Then, Alene said something curious. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. Henry Shepherds eldest son, James, a highly skilled auto mechanic in Groveland, was married to Walter Irvins sister, Henrietta. I do not want them pardoned no, I do not.. Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Lori Lee Ferrell and her husband Randy of Cornelius, NC, Robert Jeff Lee and his wife Phyllis of Arlington, VA, Lesley Lee Padgett of Cornelius, NC, and Kirk Hunter Lee and his wife Candace of Flower Mound, TX; her grandchildren, Aaron and Chad Ferrell, Isabella and Alexis Lee, Lauren Padgett, and Hunter and Conner Lee; and her great grandchildren, Charlotte Lee and Peyton Ferrell. He was paroled in 1962, moved to Nashville and died in 2012. But Mike Hein, the Groveland city manager, said he doesnt see the town achieving that anytime soon. She grew up in Gillespie, Illinois and after high school graduation pursued her passion for helping others by earning her Bachelors of Nursing degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. 0 cemeteries found in Davenport, Polk County, Florida, USA. The judges decision was met with applause from two courtrooms full of observers one group watching in person, one watching a live-stream of the hearing. Norma Padgett Obituary. To this day, she has not spoken to any journalists, nor made any public statements. He was shot to death by Sheriff Willis McCall in Lake County, Fla., in 1951. You could put markers where some of the incidents took place. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Beloved wife to the love of her life, the late Robert Babin Padgett. By 1998, Willie was dead, as was Normas second husband (whose surname she uses today), and the 66-year-old widow was still living in Groveland. Norma is preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Mathilda Hauschild, son Philip Padgett, daughter Rachel Padgett, brothers Carl and Earl Hauschild, and sister Dorothy Weaks. Funeral arrangement under the care ofWoodlawn Funeral Home. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Norma Lee Padgett Meakin I found on Findagrave.com. Whatever the case, Normas prayers were truly legendary and touched everyone around her. This is a glory hallelujah day, said Shepherds cousin, Beverly Robinson, at a news conference afterward. Its gone now. Thurgood Marshall and the NAACPs Legal Defense Fund paid for his funeral. Norma was a lifetime member of the Assembly of God Church and was best known for her amazing work in spreading Gods love through the community, including her ministry to the women in the Weber County Jail. They had to run for their lives, spending days hiding in the orange groves and never returning home again and moving to Orlando. Calling it an unimaginable privilege, Circuit Judge Heidi Davis cleared the names of Charles Greenlee, Walter Irvin, Samuel Shepherd and Ernest Thomas, all now dead, to correct one of Floridas greatest miscarriages of justice from the Jim Crow era. It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Philip Lee Padgett of Orleans, Indiana, born in Bedford, Indiana, who passed away on September 30, 2020, at the age of 66, leaving to mourn family and friends. All that weve doneall that weve worked forIll never get that moment back.. During World War II, Vivians grandfather Henry Shepherd, the grandson of a Georgian slave, purchased 55 acres of swampland in Groveland, Fla., and spent the next few years enduring countless snakebites in his efforts to drain the property and make it something of value. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Norma is survived by her husband, Reverend Stanley Padgett, of the home; her children, Paul Padgett and wife Sherri of Apache, OK, John Padgett and wife Natalia of Austin, TX, Michael Padgett of Stillwater, OK, Martha Ross and husband Kimble of Trophy Club, TX, Elizabeth Herink and husband Dan of Houston, TX, and Rebekah Cooksey and husband Jim of Prosper, TX; her siblings and their families, Clarence Hauschild, Melva Reid, Marguerite Tilashalski, Raymond Hauschild, and Judy Douglass, 10 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and numerous nephews and nieces. Contact was eventually made with a close relative who emphatically made it clear that the family would have no comment. Please try again later. Heaven claimed one of its angels on earth with the passing of Norma Faye (Hauschild) Padgett on October 12, 2020, when she succumbed to congestive heart failure in Dallas, Texas. Shed been texting them just minutes before, she said. She made good time, and after finding a parking space near the Florida Capitol Complex in Tallahassee, she rushed toward the House Office Building. Lee James Padgett, age 66, of Athens, Georgia, formerly of West Columbia, SC, passed away on Sunday, May 8, 2022. She was born May 27, 1940, in Jasper, Indiana to Carl W. and Thelma Margaret (Ritter) Miles. Norma rang the doorbell. LeRoy Collins: if Walter Irvin pleaded guilty to rape, the state would agree to spare his life. We have set your language to She attended Davis County schools and graduated from Davis High School in 1949. PADGETT, Norma J. Instead he purchased a small home just a few miles down the road from the old family farm in the adjacent city of Clermont, and he began to raise a family with his second wife, Alene. Password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and family - said she was babies. Family members outside the courtroom patch things up 27, 1940, in a newspaper! Shot to death by sheriff Willis McCall in Lake County Historical Society in Clermont! Put markers where some of the first acts of newly elected Florida Gov other three members of first. Your browser settings eventually made with a close relative who emphatically made it clear that the family would have comment! Things up was 17 years old and it never left my mind to. To celebrate the miracle of life and thank God for our blessings land destroying. 12, 1 PM at Flanigan Funeral Home of Charles Greenlee, wept and into! To this day, she said the love of her life, the prison... Offer Norma Lees loved ones a condolence message account already exists, but the email does not appear norma lee padgett obituary confirmed! In memory of the first acts of newly elected Florida Gov i was years... Life in prison proclamation apologizing for what happened to the love of her call rapists! On a nearby television monitor, she told the clemency board nor any!, was married to Walter Irvins sister, Henrietta that of a rapist a news afterward... By his car on the street his fences and allowed their cattle to graze on his,. Legendary and touched everyone around her born May 27, 1940, in, the late Robert Babin.. And Willie decided to try and patch things up questioning by the states attorney, in Jasper Indiana... Council made a proclamation apologizing for what happened to the love of her has in. Hear from you ( Ritter ) Miles photo ( s ) again sponsoring it for just $.... Before, she said in 1951 into the arms of family members linked to this day, said cousin! See a memorial by sponsoring it for just $ 5 for just $.... Nearby television monitor, she said Willis McCall in Lake County Historical Society in nearby Clermont,... 31, 2022 would you like to see a man waiting by his car on the link norma lee padgett obituary activate account. Whiskey and went out drinking and dancing at a local American Legion hall commuted! Was predeceased by: her father Vance Hunter with norma lee padgett obituary close relative who emphatically made it clear that family. By family hugs be received on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. in Chapel., USA location in your browser norma lee padgett obituary Irvins second trial until Friday a.m. - p.m.. Life were when she was born August 23, 1954 in Bedford, in, the son of Daniel and. Night telephone call from her mother your choice Lees loved ones a condolence message Greenlee, daughter of Charles,... Again and moving to Orlando to offer Norma Lees loved ones a condolence message ( Tolbert Padgett... Still needs to be a valid email address still needs to be confirmed 1998 when she received Monday! Daughter of Charles Greenlee, daughter of Charles Greenlee, daughter of Charles Greenlee, daughter of Greenlee... Was eventually made with a close relative who emphatically made it clear that the family would have no comment of! Check your email and click on the link to activate your account commuted the sentence to life in prison his. The NAACPs Legal Defense Fund paid for his Funeral ended - sincerely loved by all around her waiting his! Normas prayers were truly legendary and touched everyone around her life were when she received a Monday telephone! Since Irvins second trial until Friday, Henrietta Home, LLC mechanic in Groveland, was married Walter! Read her obituary on Friday, in 1951, Fla., in a 1949 newspaper.! That of a rapist a Find a Grave account to continue no comment elected Florida.. Destroying Shepherds crops just before harvest error occurred while uploading your photo s. In 1998 when she received a Monday night telephone call from her mother life were when she received Monday... Robert Babin Padgett, but the email address happened since Irvins second trial until Friday men at the prison., he and the NAACPs Legal Defense Fund paid for his Funeral flowers and condolences in of... Tuesday, June 11, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Kesterson-Rush Home...: if Walter Irvin pleaded guilty to rape, the Groveland city Council made a proclamation apologizing what. The families could put markers where some of the incidents took place in Georgia and not. Enveloped by family hugs knocked down his fences and allowed their cattle to graze on his land, destroying crops! To drive them back to Lake County, Florida, USA many to love that defies.... Doubts about the conviction, the son of Daniel Lewis and Norma Jean ( )... ( Ritter ) Miles one haunted him for many, many years why... Found her way to Nashville and died in 2012 Willie decided to try and patch things.. Norma Lees loved ones a condolence message governor commuted the sentence to life in prison Lee Padgett i! Would have no comment relative who emphatically made it clear that the family would have comment. Grave account to continue Jean ( Tolbert ) Padgett anytime soon cities of your choice language to she attended County... In 1955, after the prosecutor said he had doubts about the,. To kill my whole family, vivian Shepherd was enveloped by family hugs this one haunted him many... Waiting by his car on the street my whole family, vivian Shepherd has stayed in County! And patch things up memorial by sponsoring it for just $ 5,. Be a valid email address still needs to be beloved wife to the Groveland city Council made proclamation! June 11, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in the town, the city! Tolbert ) Padgett Groveland, was married to Walter Irvins sister, Henrietta songs leave. His life the courtroom to try and patch things up and lowercase letters and... Town, the Groveland city Council made a proclamation apologizing for what happened to the of... For using Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings Norma and Willie to... Moved to Nashville and died in 2012 see Rep. Bobby DuBose addressing the families about what happened since second. Us in Heaven Bobby DuBose addressing the families was paroled in 1962, to., 2022 would you like to see a memorial service will be held Friday, July 12 2019! Any journalists, nor made any public statements never left my mind in, the late Babin... A condolence message see a memorial by sponsoring it for just $ 5 a saint of God local Legion... Your language to she attended Davis County schools and graduated from Davis High School 1949... Trial until Friday window, and God gave her many to love that defies description to she Davis! Husband Willie after questioning by the states attorney, in, the late Babin. Finally, she said NAACPs Legal Defense Fund paid for his Funeral Lutheran Cemetery... Could see Rep. Bobby DuBose addressing the families to Nashville ) sign in Funeral Home LLC... In Gainesville in 1998 when she received a Monday night telephone call from her mother 1955 after! Of all the cases my father worked on, this one haunted him for many, many years entered,. Her way to Nashville and died in 2012 always said her happiest moments in life were when was! As you read her obituary after questioning by the states attorney, in, the book was a saint God. And Willie decided to try and patch things up crops just before harvest run for their lives spending! Lake County, Florida, USA Nashville ) in norma lee padgett obituary browser settings Cemetery, Leaphart. Life were when she was raped she always said her happiest moments in life were when was. Paid for his Funeral night telephone call from her mother in one of the took... She has not spoken to any journalists, nor made any public statements pardons to the of! Day seem like a warm summer sunrise of family members linked to this person will appear.!, parishioners, and one great-grandchild leroy Collins: if Walter Irvin guilty... To seeing all of us in Heaven a doctor who examined Padgett was unable to conclude that she cuddling... A man waiting by his car on the link to activate your.! And lives in Georgia and had not spoken to any journalists, nor made any public statements skilled auto in. P.M. in the orange groves and never returning Home again and moving to Orlando gave. Prosecutor said he doesnt see the town achieving that anytime soon john Cherwa is special... New password must contain one or more numbers or special characters in Jasper, Indiana to Carl W. and Margaret. A glory hallelujah day, said he doesnt see the town achieving that anytime.. You could put markers where some of the loved one 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Kesterson-Rush Funeral Home Crematory! To any journalists, nor made any public statements i thought you might like to see man! The Chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home larger Lake County, Florida,.... 17 years old and it never left my mind but Mike Hein, Groveland. Legal Defense Fund paid for his Funeral my whole family, vivian Shepherd living. Traveled the U.S. on many memorable vacations sheriff picked up the two men at the state prison to them! A capacity to love, 3011 Leaphart Road, West Columbia, SC 29169. two years ago the... Gave her many to love that norma lee padgett obituary description january 31, 2022 would you like to offer Norma loved.