Ray Egleston Norwood Jr.

Ray Egleston Norwood, Jr. 88, died January 5, 2025. Ray was born in Darlington County on Christmas Day, 1936. He was the first-born son of the late Ray Egleston and Beatrice Waddell Norwood. He graduated from St. Johns High School in 1955. After attending the Citadel, he returned to Darlington and joined the family business, Norwood Construction. Over the years he built hundreds of homes all over South Carolina before retiring in 2005. He loved horses and horse shows. The Appaloosa was his favorite and over the years he had some good ones. As he grew older, he found it more difficult to ride and show his horses, but he still managed to find the time to watch as many Westerns as possible on television. He loved to dance. He could shag like nobody’s business, and he made sure his girls could too! He was the only man at the dance with four dates. AND they were all his daughters! Ray had charisma, charm, good looks, and an outstanding personality. Those four qualities made him a great family man, a great businessman, and a great friend to many people. He made the world a better place. Friends are invited to greet Mr. Norwood’s family Wednesday, January 8, 2025, from 5 PM until 7 PM at Kistler-Hardee Funeral Home, 315 Pearl St., Darlington, SC. You are also invited to a memorial service and reception on Thursday, January 9, 2025, to be held at 3 PM at The Grand Old Post Office, 201 Pearl St., Darlington, SC. On June 18, 1960, Ray Married Claire Delorme. To this union came a large family to include his daughters, Lisa N. Wiley and husband, Tim. Natalie Hardee and husband, Jimmie. Joni Caudle and husband, Ken. and Jeanne Vaught and husband, Chuck. His daughter in law, Brandy Norwood Weaver. He is predeceased by his son, Ray E. Norwood, III. Ray later married Patricia “Patty” Biggers Norwood. They were married for 17 years. He shared her family to include Ryan and Amie Jordan, Winter and Jay Pittman, and Forrest and Emily Jordan. His family also includes his brothers, Wayne Norwood and wife Lola, Mike Norwood, and Tim Norwood and wife Anne. He is predeceased by his brother, Lide Norwood. His grandchildren include, Taylor Wiley, Merritt Hardee Wallace and husband Sean, Sarah Hardee Chapman and husband Jay, Ren Norwood, Hank Sumner and wife Kristin, Mitch Parker and partner, Kayli, Katharine Morrison and husband Lee, Blake Caudle and wife Christina, Kris Lambert and wife Ashley, and Dantzler Medd and husband Devin; his great grandchildren, Nora Wallace, Law Wallace, Anniston Parker, Jackson Parker, Ace Morrison, Katelyn Morrison, Crosland Morrison, Chance Caudle, Paisley Caudle, Kali Rae Lambert, and Quinn Lambert. Brandon Jordan, Skylar Billings, Pheobe Jordan, Alex Jordan, Wesley Pittman, Windsor Murphy, Addison Young, and Annalise Jordan. We would like to mention the wonderful care Ray received from Hazel Bradshaw, Piper Gaster, Kylie Hyatt. These kind folks made Ray’s end of life transition easier for him and for his family. Their kindness and compassion did not go unnoticed, and the entire family is truly grateful. The family suggests memorials be made to assist with the research and cure of Parkinson’s. Donations can be made online by visiting The Parkinson’s Foundation.

Ray Egleston Norwood Jr.

December 25, 1936 - January 5, 2025