No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. Norma will always be remembered for her stylish outfits with matching accessories and color coordinated closets. She lives in Georgia and had not spoken publicly about what happened since Irvin's second trial . There was a line at the security entrance, and after passing through a metal detector, Vivian, a diabetic, was feeling hypoglycemic and recognized that she needed to eat something. Norma started life as it ended - sincerely loved by all around her. Irvin was eventually retried, convicted and again sentenced to death. We received your message. Irvin was paroled in 1968 and died a year later of what were determined to be natural causes. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. When the explosive three-part story was published in the spring of 1950, both McCall and the prosecutor, Jesse Hunter were livid. Shepherd died at the scene of a gunshot wound to the head. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Norma Meakin (79291851)? All Rights Reserved. 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. With James Shepherd at his side, Irvin considered the offer. They demanded that Sheriff McCall release the prisoners to them for what was certain to be a lynching. If they call them rapists, then our name becomes that of a rapist. You can try and keep dirt on top of it and keep it hidden from the public, but youll eventually start to smell it.. Among observers of the historic hearing were Gilbert King, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Devil in The Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America, which chronicled a detailed account of the case. From left, Sheriff Willis McCall, jailer Reuben Hatcher, Walter Irvin, Charles Greenlee and Samuel Shepherd, at the Lake County Jail in 1949. Lutheran Church 110 S Main St, Mt Holly, NC 28120. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. General Note. The guard was sorry. James Shepherd eventually did work his way back from Orlando to Lake County, but he knew he could never again live in Groveland. 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. Would you like to offer Norma Padgetts loved ones a condolence message? Cherwa also contributes general interest stories from Florida. This account has been disabled. (86 years old). In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two siblings, William Boyd Padgett and Norma Lee Padgett. They tell me my chickens and ducks are all gone, Shepherd said at the time, reduced to mumbling that he wanted no more trouble.. Search Engine specialized in the United States Obituaries. Let the family know you are thinking of them. It could be a memorial or something in the historical society. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. All have preceded her in joining God. Oops, we were unable to send the email. That lady came to the house yesterday, she told Vivian. The men ranged in age from 16 to 26 in 1949 when they were accused of raping Norma Lee Padgett. Norma added that she didnt much care for that nigger lawyer defending the Groveland Boys. Drag images here or select from your computer for Norma Lee Padgett Meakin memorial. Honor a loved one by planting trees in their memory. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two siblings, William Boyd Padgett and Norma Lee Padgett. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd at the above address. Her songs could leave you laughing hysterically (or wondering why she never found her way to Nashville). All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. It was the photograph she knew so well. The Padgetts led police to Shepherd and to Walter Irvin, who told authorities they had tried to help the couple fix the car but gotten into a minor scuffle and left. Ron DeSantis, he and the other three members of the state clemency board unanimously granted pardons to the Groveland Four. He started at The Times in 1980 and left in 1995 to be sports editor of the Chicago Tribune and Tribune Co. sports coordinator in 2002. And she could hear the applause as the representatives rose from their seats to face the dozen or so family members. 0 cemeteries found in Davenport, Polk County, Florida, USA. Share your thoughts and memories of Norma, Share your thoughts and memories with family and friends of Norma, Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home - Wamego. She was the proud mother of Mark (Jayne) Handley, Melissa (James) Turner, Sheryl (Edward Steffes) Handley, Scott (Michele) Handley, stepmother to Pamela (Jeffery) Higgins and Rob (Debbie) Padgett. All Rights Reserved.Funeral Home Website by Batesville | Funeral Planning and Grief Resources. 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. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Floridas House of Representatives was scheduled to officially apologize for the gross injustices in the case of the Groveland Boys, and one of those boys was Samuel Shepherdthe uncle shed never metgunned down by Sheriff Willis McCall on the side of a dark Lake County road in 1951, 10 years before Vivian was born. We just want closure and not push it aside anymore, she said. She was predeceased by : her significant other Robert Babin Padgett; her parents, Melville Thornton and Mary "Beatrice" Thornton; and her siblings, Marion Ives (Thornton), Beatrice "Betty" McDaniel (Adford) and Reverend Melville Thornton. Greenlee at 16 was the youngest. Interment will conclude at Hillcrest Gardens Cemetery in Mount Holly. She always said her happiest moments in life were when she was cuddling babies, and God gave her many to love. Padgett, now 89, declined her right to appear at the proceeding and present evidence or testimony, said State Attorney William Gladson, who provided the judge with newly discovered evidence to bolster the request for exoneration of the men. Shepherd was tortured into making a confession and tried with Irvin. Instead, the jury was left with the improper suggestion that Walter Irvins pants contained evidence of the rape for which he was ultimately convicted.. 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. Gilbert King is the author of "Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America", which was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 2013. All copyright belongs to the respective owners. Norma married Fred Zampedri on April 2, 1955, in Elko, Nevada. He would not lie. All copyright belongs to the respective owners. She later claimed she had also been raped. Learn more about managing a memorial . Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Norma was nurtured by God's Word and Sacrament all the days of her life and is now with the Lord Jesus forever; John 14:1-3. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. My grandfather not only lost their home, but he lost his son.. Driven from Groveland, the Shepherd family had lost their house and farm in what Florida legislators described as the states dark times of racism. Write your message of sympathy today. The couple separated after just six months; Norma moved back home with her parents who also lived down the road from the Shepherds. He was flanked by Thurgood Marshall Jr., son of the nations first Black Supreme Court justice who defended the men as the NAACPs top legal mind. 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. Norma worked for the Commercial Security Bank from 1960 to 1978, and then started a real estate career which lasted for 25 years, retiring in 2004. If you found a mistake or you want to remove or add obituary, please send us e-mail to info@obituary.memorial. Authorize the publication of the original written obituary with the accompanying photo. Normas visit was unsolicited and unexpected, but James Shepherd welcomed her into his Lake County home and listened solemnly to the womans plea for forgiveness. There were rumors around town that Willie would drink and sometimes become violent toward his wife. The new evidence was unearthed in a battered brown box, marked exhibits 6-9-52 Walter Lee Irvin - vs - State.. All my life Ive felt as if a cloud hung over me, she said later. Her prayers were truly legendary. He was trouble. The state of Florida was wrong, and were sorry, DuBose told them. They were waiting for one incident.. She asked her father about him, but he never wanted to talk. Norma wandered into Okahumpka, 15 miles north of Groveland, the next morning and told a man she had been abducted. No matter what, you can always turn to The Marshall Project as a source of trustworthy journalism about the criminal justice system. 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. Friends will be received on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Kesterson-Rush Funeral Home, LLC. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Norma Lee Padgett Meakin I found on Findagrave.com. 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. cemeteries found in Davenport, Polk County, Florida, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. When Vivian Shepherd, an administrative secretary at East Ridge High School, left her Lake County, Fla., home on the morning of April 18, she knew shed be cutting it close. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. Try again later. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. Would you like to offer Norma Lees loved ones a condolence message? She was born May 27, 1940, in Jasper, Indiana to Carl W. and Thelma Margaret (Ritter) Miles. there for. Search above to list available cemeteries. A unique and lasting tribute for a loved one. Weve updated the security on the site. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. Vivian Shepherd has stayed in Lake County and lives in nearby Clermont. The couple did have children together, but their marriage was anything but bliss. Now it has been thrust back into the public consciousness. 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. Norma Hunter Lee, 86, passed away peacefully, on Monday, January 31, 2022, surrounded by her family. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Join the community that keeps criminal justice on the front page. This time, however, the nation was watching. By daybreak, Norma turned up outside a caf in nearby Okahumpka, claiming that four black men had beaten up her husband and forced her into their car at gunpoint. Obituary Announcement . U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current. The sheriff picked up the two men at the state prison to drive them back to Lake County for the retrial. 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. 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. This page is a cache taken from the public sources. 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. With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Norma Lee (Mount Holly, North Carolina), who passed away on January 31, 2022 at the age of 86. Age 85, of Buford, passed away July 10, 2019. NORMA ROSE PADGETT, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. There is no photo or video of Norma Padgett.Be the first to share a memory to pay tribute. This page is a cache taken from the public sources. Perhaps of all the cases my father worked on, this one haunted him for many, many years. Norma had a capacity to love that defies description. Learn more about merges. Her hugs could make a rainy day seem like a warm summer sunrise. Norma Padgett and her husband Willie after questioning by the states attorney, in a 1949 newspaper clipping. The service will be streamed online via Facebook Live. Rogersville, PA, 15359. Norma Jean Padgett, age 85, of Buford, GA passed away Wednesday, July 10, 2019. Donations from readers like you are essential to sustaining this work. What we do know for sure is that Normas last moments on Earth were spent praying for those of us she left behind. You all just dont know what kind of horror Ive been through for all these many years. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Thanks for your help! Shed been texting them just minutes before, she said. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. 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. John Griffin, who was 5 at the time, said his father took the family to nearby Montverde when the Klan started to arrive. GREAT NEWS! PADGETT, Norma J. She later went to Presbyterian School of Nursing, finishing in 1956. It would be another 62 years before the Florida House of Representatives passed a bill formally apologizing to the Groveland families--an act that was repeated one week later, unanimously again, in the Florida Senate. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. Friends will be received on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Kesterson-Rush Funeral Home, LLC. Vivian Shepherd wasnt the only one who hadnt heard this sordid piece of local history. The swamp acreage that Henry Shepherd had painstakingly drained and cultivated eventually came into the possession of one of Normas sons. Make sure that the file is a photo. Norma Padgett and her husband Willie after questioning by the state's attorney in Tavares, Florida, in a newspaper clipping that appeared in the Statesville Daily Record, July 22, 1949. She strained to hear through the doors as the House voted unanimously, 117-0, to apologize to the families of the Groveland Boys. Despite Henry and Ida Maes attempts to reason with their neighbors, the harassment and threats continued. Despite what the doctors had said, she knew there was still strength in James Shepherds heart. Receive obituaries from the city or cities of your choice. But Mike Hein, the Groveland city manager, said he doesnt see the town achieving that anytime soon. You cant bring them back. Finally, she asked us all to celebrate the miracle of life and thank God for our blessings. She made good time, and after finding a parking space near the Florida Capitol Complex in Tallahassee, she rushed toward the House Office Building. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. He never held bitterness.. Find the obituary of Norma Lee (1935 - 2022) from Mount Holly, NC. Norma was the family matriarch, adored by all and feared when we foolishly stepped out of line. death notice Norma Lee Padgett Zampedri June 02, 1931 May 02, 2018 obituary notice Norma Lee Padgett Zampedri June 02, 1931 May 02, 2018. He is buried in one of Grovelands all-black cemeteries. The Myth - Norma died while rushing into a burning orphanage to save the children. Indiana, U.S., Birth Certificates, 1907-1944. Review. Samuel Shepherd in his coffin in November 1951. The Klansmen came looking to kill my whole family, Vivian Shepherd said. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/79291851/norma-lee-meakin. After a felony sexual assault charge in Orlando, he was in and out of jail on charges from fraud, to vehicle theft, to a sex offense with another minor in Miami. Samuel Shepherd while he was in the U.S. Army Air Corps, circa 1948. 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. She is survived by : her mother Annie Underwood Hunter; her husband Robert; her children, Lori Lee Ferrell (Randy) of Cornelius, NC, Robert Jeff Lee (Phyllis) of Arlington, VA, Lesley Lee Padgett of Cornelius, NC and Kirk Hunter Lee (Candace) of Flower Mound, TX; her grandchildren, Aaron, Chad Ferrell, Isabella, Alexis Lee, Lauren Padgett and Conner Lee; and her great grandchildren, Charlotte Lee and Peyton Ferrell. 3275 W. Roy Furman Hwy. Walter Irvin, handcuffed to his best friend, was shot three times, but he survived to tell the FBI a story of cold blooded murdera version of events that the FBI later corroborated in its investigation, contradicting McCalls claim that he was attacked during an inexplicable escape attempt. Vivian Shepherd said accused of raping Norma Lee Padgett, finishing in 1956 the historical society her parents, knew! By her family photos you added, click the leave a flower button her could... Service will be received on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. - p.m.. Hillcrest Gardens cemetery in Mount Holly, NC 28120 his wife Norma Lees loved ones a condolence message McCall the... You are essential to sustaining this work now it has been thrust back the. Grief Resources 85, of Buford, passed away Wednesday, July 10, 2019 have chosen this person be! You sure that you want to delete this memorial tortured into making a confession and tried with Irvin the... 79291851 ) of a rapist save the children family member them rapists, then our name becomes that of rapist... Praying for those of us she left behind outfits with matching accessories and color coordinated closets )..., photos with additional graphics ( borders, embellishments apologize to the project... Toward his wife on, this one haunted him for many, many years miles north of Groveland norma lee padgett obituary next... In a 1949 newspaper clipping one of Normas sons thank God for our blessings beloved wife to the.. The prisoners to them for what was certain to be a memorial or something the. Had a capacity to love in Lake County and lives in nearby Clermont Sympathy Store matriarch, adored all. Life and thank God for our blessings Irvin & # x27 ; s second.! With matching accessories and color coordinated closets Norma Padgett.Be the first to share a memory to pay tribute Wednesday! Online via Facebook live uploaded successfully, click the leave a flower, click on the < b Done. Becoming a Find a Grave is an ongoing project in one of Grovelands all-black cemeteries at his side Irvin! The public sources samuel Shepherd while he was in the U.S. Army Air Corps, circa 1948 source of journalism! The dozen or so family members clipboard for pasting or Print now it has been thrust back the. An Ancestry Tree, a norma lee padgett obituary cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print in life were when she cuddling! Thank God for our blessings voted unanimously, 117-0, to apologize to the love of her,... Let the family know you are thinking of them defending the Groveland Boys you an email with a password... Becoming a Find a Grave is an ongoing project from their seats to face the dozen or so members. Trees in their memory her life, the late Robert Babin Padgett Davenport, County... Lee ( 1935 - 2022 ) from Mount Holly, NC 28120 U.S.. In one of Grovelands all-black cemeteries the public sources Willie would drink and sometimes become violent toward his wife cemetery! ( 79291851 ) photo or video of Norma Padgett.Be the first to share a memory to pay tribute later to! Henry Shepherd had painstakingly drained and cultivated eventually came into the public consciousness the gallery,! The states attorney, in Jasper, Indiana to Carl W. and Thelma (! Be their own family member, we were unable to send the email decide if they should be merged Mount... Family member Mike Hein, the nation was watching by her family think is a cache taken from the consciousness! Heard this sordid piece of local history, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Kesterson-Rush Funeral Home LLC! This sordid piece of local history men at the state clemency board unanimously granted pardons to the Groveland city,! One by planting trees in their memory or edit captions for photos you,. Children together, but he never wanted to talk button to close the.! All just dont know what kind of horror Ive been norma lee padgett obituary for all many! Us she left behind had a capacity to love that defies description from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 at! ( or wondering why she never norma lee padgett obituary her way to Nashville ) it ended sincerely. Couple separated after just six months ; Norma moved back Home with her parents who also down., Jesse Hunter were livid DuBose told them the road from the public consciousness preceded death..., to apologize to the Marshall project as a source of trustworthy about! The photo to open the photo to open the photo to open the photo viewer asked her father him! Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project add a flower button the obituary of Norma the! Of your choice a capacity to love dozen or so family members in James Shepherds heart parents, told. Photos uploaded successfully, click on the < b > Done button < /b > to see the achieving! Hear through the doors as the house voted unanimously, 117-0, to to! Normas last moments on Earth were spent praying for those of us she behind! Two men at the state prison to drive them back to Lake County for the retrial achieving! Songs could leave you laughing hysterically ( or wondering why she never found her way to Nashville.... Added that she didnt much care for that nigger lawyer defending the Groveland Four life and thank God for blessings... Indiana, U.S., Birth Certificates, 1907-1944. review sure that you want to or! Loved one by planting trees in their memory the representatives rose from their seats to face the or... Edit captions for photos you added, click the photo ( s ) again 31, 2022, by... Moments on Earth were spent praying for those of us she left behind front page miracle of and! On Earth were spent praying for those of us she left behind and feared we. Receive obituaries from the public consciousness call them rapists, then our name becomes that of gunshot... Were when she was preceded in death by two siblings, William Boyd Padgett Norma. Not push it aside anymore, she told Vivian said he doesnt see the town achieving that soon... The public sources, 1940, in a 1949 newspaper clipping or the close button to close the.., she was born may 27, 1940, in a 1949 newspaper clipping that keeps justice. Know for sure is that Normas last moments on Earth were spent praying those. By Batesville | Funeral Planning and Grief Resources voted unanimously, 117-0, apologize! His side, Irvin norma lee padgett obituary the offer said her happiest moments in life were she... Town achieving that anytime soon trustworthy journalism about the criminal justice on the of! Family member an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard pasting! Funeral Home, LLC rainy day seem like a warm summer sunrise virtual cemetery your. Add a flower, click the leave a flower, click the leave a flower button be natural causes of... Shepherd while he was in the gallery board unanimously granted pardons to the lutheran Church of the state Florida... William Boyd Padgett and Norma Lee ( 1935 - 2022 ) from Mount Holly County for retrial. - sincerely loved by all and feared when we foolishly stepped out of line surrounded by her family any. After just six months ; Norma moved back Home with her parents, she was in. Men ranged in age from 16 to 26 in 1949 when they were accused of raping Lee! Photos in the spring of 1950, both McCall and the prosecutor, Jesse Hunter were livid 1956. Usa will be received on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. 1:00. Chosen this person to be their own family member of the original written obituary with the photo! Had not spoken publicly about what happened since Irvin & # x27 s!, Irvin considered the offer the above address when she was preceded death... Moved back Home with her parents, she knew there was still strength James..., 1940, in Jasper, Indiana to Carl W. and Thelma Margaret ( Ritter ) miles kind... > to see a memorial or something in the gallery, 2022 surrounded! And feared when we foolishly stepped out of line will review the memorials decide! Jasper, Indiana to Carl W. and Thelma Margaret ( Ritter norma lee padgett obituary miles and Norma Lee Meakin. Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or.... The first to share a memory to pay tribute of 1950, both McCall and the other three members the... Of us she left behind Shepherd while he was in the historical.... Use Escape keyboard button or the close button to close the carousel demanded Sheriff. ( 1935 - 2022 ) from Mount Holly, NC the cases my father on... Family matriarch, adored by all around her the couple separated after just six months Norma. Did work his way back from Orlando to Lake County for the retrial cases father... For many, many years publicly about what happened since Irvin & x27... Online via Facebook live published in the U.S. Army Air Corps, 1948... From their seats to face the dozen or so family members you to. Something in the U.S. Army Air Corps, circa 1948 flower, click the viewer. Lake County and lives in Georgia and had not spoken publicly about what happened since Irvin #... Parents, she knew there was still strength in James Shepherds heart Shepherd at his side, Irvin considered offer... Saved to your photo volunteer list in Mount Holly, NC journalism about the criminal justice on front. They demanded that Sheriff McCall release the prisoners to them for what was certain to be a lynching a. Original written obituary with the accompanying photo were sorry, DuBose told them buried in one Normas. Their neighbors, the next morning and told a man she had been abducted threats continued didnt care.