Shirley Mae Sexter Norvell

Shirley Mae Sexter Norvell died Friday, March 21, 2025, at the age of 95, after a brief illness during which her three daughters were at her side.Shirley was born in Owatonna, Minnesota, on July 26, 1929, to Clarence Edward and Cora Olson Sexter. She grew up in Detroit where she graduated from Cass High School and from Wayne University with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology. She and a group of classmates embarked on their careers in Denver, Colorado, where she met her husband, Allus A. (Billy) Norvell, Jr., who was stationed at Lowry Air Force Base. After their marriage, they returned to his home in Virginia, and Shirley began a lifelong career in hematology at Lynchburg General Hospital where she made many friends and aided those in her care. She and Billy settled in Amherst and raised their children in a neighborhood full of wonderful families with whom they remain close to this day. After her husband’s death, Shirley moved to Westminster Canterbury in Lynchburg where she met new friends and enjoyed many happy times.Shirley is survived by her daughters, Brenda Norvell Goad and her husband, Robert Goad, Jr., of Lovingston, and Janice Norvell Wheaton and Martha Norvell Tucker, both of Amherst; her grandchildren, Robert Goad III and his wife, Erica Goad, of Lynchburg; Mallory Tucker and her husband, Kurtis Bartlett, of Sante Fe; Samuel Tucker of Richmond, Warren Wheaton of Salt Lake City, Blake Wheaton of Atlanta, and her great grandchildren, Robert Goad IV and Mary Goad, both of Lynchburg.A funeral service officiated by Reverend Nancy C. Johnson will be held at Emmanuel United Methodist Church at 401 Main Street in Amherst on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at two o’clock in the afternoon, followed by a graveside Service of Committal at Amherst Cemetery. Driskill Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. If you would like, memorial donations may be made to Emmanuel United Methodist Church, Post Office Box 451, Amherst, Virginia 24521.