Norma Belle Rowsey
(May 24, 1933 - March 6, 2014)

Norma Belle Adkins Rowsey, 80, of Huntington, W.Va., died at home on March 6, 2014 after a long, courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by family when she passed. Visitation will take place Monday, March 10, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., at Chapman's Mortuary, Huntington, W.Va. Funeral services will be beginning at 2 p.m., with Dr. John R. Sauvage and Pastor Phil Wilson officiating. Burial will be immediately afterwards at Oaklawn Memorial Park, where Norma will be buried beside her husband, Dan L. Rowsey, who preceded her in death on April 10, 2000. Norma was born May 24, 1933, in Huntington, W.Va., a daughter of the late Norman Edward and Beulah Violet (Hayes) Adkins. After retiring from C&P Telephone (later AT&T), Norma served as an auxiliary volunteer at St. Mary’s Hospital in Huntington, W.Va. She was a long-time member of Highlawn United Methodist Church, but more recently switched her membership to Harmony United Methodist Church, whose members embraced her and regularly transported her to services. Norma was also a member of the Guyandotte Chapter #89 of the Eastern Star. Norma was instrumental in assisting with the organization of every significant Huntington East High School class reunion since graduating in 1951. In recent years, she led efforts to include Huntington High School’s Class of 1951 in combined reunion celebrations. She always took pride in looking her best at the reunions, where she loved reconnecting with friends who had left the area. These events were among her most enjoyable times and provided many of her most cherished memories. Additionally, Norma found true joy in spending time with her children and grandchildren, traveling with her family and enjoying a cup of coffee while watching the sun rise and set during her many trips to the beach. Norma specifically wanted to thank some very special people in her life – Wanda Lee Copley, Wanda Lou Doss and Betsy Dillon, all of Huntington, and Barbara Ryan, of Clarksville, Va., for their love, friendship and time at weekly card games, dinners out and phone calls. During her illness, their cards of encouragement meant very much to her. Survivors include four children, Dan Livingston Rowsey and wife Sharon (Easthom) of Catlettsburg, Ky., Deborah Ann Rice and husband Chuck, of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Kathryn Lynn McFann, and Scott O’Dell Rowsey and his wife Meredith (Knight) of Huntington. Norma had eight grandchildren, Jennifer, Olivia and Reid Rowsey of Catlettsburg, Ky., Hannah and Eli Rice of Pittsburgh, Pa., Ashleigh (McCoy) Clark, of Huntington, and Regan and Samuel Rowsey, also of Huntington. She is also survived by two great-grandsons, Bryson and Ashton Rowsey, of Catlettsburg, Ky., one brother, Bob Edward Adkins of Huntington and two nieces, Karen Booten, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Connie Priddy of Barboursville, W.Va.