MRS. IRIS NORMAN Mrs. Iris Albea Norman, 78, beloved wife of William P. Norman of Lincolnton, entered into rest on August 29, 2007 due to an untimely accident.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 1, at Hephzibah Baptist Church with Revs. Allen Danner and Paul Reviere officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery.

Mrs. Norman was born in Lincoln County. She was a lifelong member of Hephzibah Baptist Church, serving faithfully in Children's Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Historical Committee and the choir. She was also a member of the Lincoln County Historical Society and the Jamestown Foundation, Williamsburg, Va. Mrs. Norman compiled a book of her grandfather's writings entitled Hoosier's Moods and Tenses.

She was the epitome of God's love and taught her family to love Jesus. She was known to have the spiritual gifts of hospitality and encouragement. She made the best vegetable soup and cornbread and always had room for one more at the table.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dillard Myers Albea and Gladys Hudson Albea; a sister, Lois Albea McGill; and two infant brothers, Herman and Wayne Albea.

Survivors include her husband of 59 3/4 years, William P. Norman; daughters, Wanda Cawthon and husband, Alex of Thomson, Ga., Gloria Brooks and husband, Nelson of Lincolnton, and Ellen Richard and husband, Greg of Franklin, Tenn.; son, William P. "Bill" Norman, Jr. of Lincolnton; grandchildren, Julie Finnegan and husband, Rod of Culbert, Kelly Field and husband, Jeremy of Athens, Ga., Melanie Mathews and husband, Johnny of Winterville, Ga., Amie Stinson and husband, Dale of Springhill, Tenn., Jathan Richard and wife, Stacey of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Joshua Richard, James Richard of Franklin, William P Norman, III and Dillard Norman of Thomson; greatgrandchildren, Chris Finnegan, Wilkes Field, John Mathews III, Sara Beth Mathews, Madison Mathews, Hunter Mathews, Barbara Ann Mathews, Cade Stinson, Blake Stinson, Grace Richard, Jesse Dee Richard; and a special sister, Catherine Hill; and many nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Walter C. McGill, Joe McGill, A.C. McGill, Rod Finnegan, Jeremy Field, Johnny Mathews, Mark Hill, and Clarence Norman, Jr. Members of Hephzibah Baptist Choir served as honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hephzibah Baptist Church, 1750 Hephzibah Church Rd., Lincolnton, GA 30817.

Beggs Funeral Home, Lincolnton, was in charge of arrangements. Sign the guestbook at www.beggs funeralhome.net.