Bertha Mae Ford Norwood, 85, of Palatka, entered the sunset of life on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at Orange Park Medical Center, Orange Park. A native of Grandin, FL, she was the daughter of Curley Ford, Sr. and Essie (Smith) Ford born on Wednesday, November 8, 1933. She was a 1951 graduate of Central Academy High School and subsequently enrolled in the Business program at Edward Waters College, Jacksonville. A longtime resident of Palatka, she united with Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in the early 1970's, and became a faithful servant of God, serving for over 45 years, especially on the Deaconess Ministry and in the Senior Adult Women's Sunday School Class. Bertha was employed at Georgia-Pacific (formerly Hudson Pulp & Paper Mill) in Tissue Converting and was in Kraft Shipping before retiring with over 25 years of employment. She truly enjoyed her family and her hobbies included reading the Holy Bible, solving Sodoku puzzles, and watching her favorite football teams, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Dallas Cowboys.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in eternal rest by her husband, Deacon James Norwood, Sr.; brothers, Curley Ford, Jr., Edward Ford, and Harvey Ford; sisters, D. Virginia Moore, Rosa Lee Jenkins, and Emma Dixon; son-in-law, Jimmie C. Williams, Sr., nephews, Robert Ford and Charles Brown.

She leaves to cherish her memories: daughters, Marietta Ford Mobley, East Palatka; Sarah Norwood Williams, Karen Denise Maples, both of Palatka; son, James (Regina) Norwood, Jr.; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; brother, Odell (Elouise) Ford, Sr., East Palatka; sister, Annie Dorothy Robinson, Garland, NC; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, god-children, and other relatives and friends, including two nieces she raised as her own daughters, Annette Ford Hanna and Linda Ford (Leon "Cook") Session.

Visitation of family and friends will be 5-8 p.m., Friday, February 1, at Flagg's Chapel of Serenity. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 2, at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, 322 North 10th Street, Palatka, Reverend Frederick T. Demps, Senior Pastor is the eulogist. Interment will be in Oak Hill East Cemetery.