Lorna Hatcher Norwood

Lorna Hatcher Norwood, passed from this life into the arms of God on December 4, 2012. She spent her life caring for others and was a blessing to all who met her. Her devastating loss will be felt by many. Lorna's earthly life transitioned into her spiritual life and she is now reunited with family members who preceded her in death, father Joe B. Hatcher and infant sister, Debbie Sue Hatcher. Lorna was a Fulton High School graduate as well as graduate of the University of Tennessee Knoxville, where she obtained her Bachelor's degree in Communications. More recently she was pursuing an advanced Master's degree. As a marketing and communications specialist, Lorna left numerous professional and personal impacts upon the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, where she served as director of the institute's Department of Marketing and Communications since 2007. At the institute, Norwood led programs in media relations, the production and distribution of print, web-based and broadcast materials, and graphic design. Through her leadership, she advanced the institute's mission and objectives, while being valued for her caring nature by employees throughout the institute's statewide workforce. Reflecting upon her professional impacts, Norwood received numerous awards from her peers. In 2008, the Volunteer Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America bestowed its Harvey I. Cobert Award of Excellence upon her in recognition of a career of achievements and service. She also received an award of quality from the society in honor of a statewide, year-long celebration she helped coordinate for the 100th anniversary of UT Extension. In March 2011, the Tennessee Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences honored her with a marketing award. Norwood joined UT from the office of Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale, where she served as deputy director in communications from January 2006 to late 2007. She worked for Leadership Knoxville in 2005, and prior to that was a 20-year employee of UT Medical Center, where she worked from 1979 to 2003, eventually serving as Director of Marketing for the hospital. The Tennessee Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations recognized her in 1998 with its Lamar Jackson Distinguished Service Award. Norwood was also a 1999 graduate of the UT Institute of Leadership Effectiveness. She also belonged to various organizations including Public Relations Society of America Volunteer Chapter and AKIMA. Though Lorna had a prosperous professional career, her life as Wife, Godmother, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Daughter-in-Law, and friend was much more illustrious and beautiful. In her home life she exuded compassion, love, and kindness, sacrificing her own needs and desires to comfort others around her. Lorna leaves behind her loving and devoted husband of 25 years, Jim Norwood; Godchildren, Ronesha and Brandon; Mother, Irene Hatcher; Mother/Father -in-Law, Gail and Archie Norwood; Siblings, JoAnn (Robert) Sims, Betty Lou (Mark) Plymale, Judy (Walt) Snow, Tammie Cole, and Benny (Judy) Hatcher; Sister/Brother-in-Law, Becky and Brian Herring; Many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and special friends. And her beloved pets Gus & Petey. A celebration of Lorna's beautiful life will be held at Smithview Pavilion & Event Center, 601 Smithview Drive, Maryville, TN 37803 from 2:00 until 4:00, Saturday, December 8, 2012. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: The University of Tennessee Veterinary Teaching Hospital, 2407 River Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-4550 or the Young Williams Animal Shelter, 3201 Division Street, Knoxville, TN 37919. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithMaryville.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Lorna Hatcher Norwood please visit our Sympathy Store.