Jessie Ruth Veech Norwood

Jessie Ruth Veech Norwood, of Stronghurst, Illinois, died Thursday June 21, 2012 in the Oak Lane Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Stronghurst, at the wonderful age of 98. She was surrounded by her family with loving care and devotion.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Stronghurst Christian Church, the church of her youth and where she was a life-long active member. Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Monday at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst. Burial will be in the Stronghurst Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Stronghurst Christian Church or to a favorite charity.

Jessie was born November 18, 1913 to William Percy and Merle Leinbach Veech in Raritan Township, Illinois. She was a strong and loyal supporter of the Stronghurst community all of her life.

Jessie graduated from Stronghurst High School in 1931, and received her B.A. degree from Western Illinois University. She married Kenneth Salter Norwood on May 23, 1936.
Faith, Family and Farming-that was Jessies life and she did it all with her loving, wise and generous nature.

In addition to her rewarding and productive life on the farm, Jessie passionately taught elementary and middle school in the Lomax, Media, Gladstone, and Stronghurst school districts for over twenty five years. She was a member of the Alpha Rho Delta Kappa Gamma sorority and the Henderson County Retired Teachers Association.

Survivors include one daughter- Nancy (Kendall) Knutstrom of Cordova, IL., one son- John V. Norwood of Loves Park, IL., four grandchildren- Michael (Patricia) Knutstrom of Louisville, KY., Lori Ann (James) Derk of New Lenox, IL., John Randall (Carrie) Norwood and James (Rebecca) Norwood of Rockford, IL., ten great grandchildren; one niece- Carol (Robert) Dillon of Stronghurst and one nephew- William (Kay) Veech of Houston, TX. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth, parents and brothers- Max and Kenneth Veech.

Jessie left a lasting imprint on the hearts, minds and souls of many. She will greatly missed. Condolences may be left at banksandbeals.com.