Congressman dies at home following a lengthy illness

One of Georgia's most beloved members of Congress, long-time patient and individual rights champion, dentist, Vietnam veteran, and small businessman Charles Whitlow Norwood, Jr., 65, died Tuesday, February 13, at his home in Augusta due to complications from his eightyear battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).

Norwood underwent a single lung transplant in October of 2004 in response to continued lung deterioration from IPF and was successfully treated for non-small-cell lung cancer in 2005. Shortly after the November 2006 elections, the cancer had spread to his liver.

Congressman Norwood is survived by his wife, Gloria; sons Charles and Carlton; and four grandchildren, all of Augusta.

A native of Valdosta, Norwood represented Lincoln County in Washington from 1995 to 2007.

A public funeral service is scheduled for Thursday (today) at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Augusta.