Jay Norwood

Jay Norwood, 59, passed away at Northeast Baptist Hospital, San Antonio, on September 6, 2018. He was born to Hemby and Finniegene (Norman) Norwood on June 17, 1959. He shared his birth date with one other female baby, born at Rusk Memorial Hospital, Rusk, Texas. After watching a story about Babies Switched at Birth, Jay’s mother would quip, “I’m 100% confident I brought the right baby home.”

Attending Rusk Schools, Jay quickly discovered sports was not his forte. Visual limitations rendered him unable to see the ball until inches from impact. He enjoyed reading and read his way through The World Book encyclopedia. He ravenously consumed reading material the way most folks eat corn on the cob. When relaxing for sleep, he would mentally name every State and its capital or name U.S. Presidents and Vice Presidents. Meeting people and hearing their back stories was another strong interest along with good food and drink. Jay would bemoan a writing assignment, for school or work and then busy himself reading news or watching classic movies. Later, when asked about his progress on a writing project he would tap his forehead with his finger and say, “it’s already written, here”.

Jay had a deep appreciation for being born and raised in the small town of Rusk, Texas. And life for him growing up was casual and loving. He recalled being a little boy and walking into neighbors’ homes to see what was going on and enjoy a cookie or two offered by the widows. He loved his Mamie and occasionally insisted she spend the night. He told about her bathing him and “patting” him dry. He asked her why she patted him and she said “she didn’t want to scratch his skin with the towel”. Jay had a knack of knowing nearly everyone in Rusk and how they “linked” up to other people and places. He delighted in the way Rusk folks would speak two syllables for a one syllable work. He loved telling stories that explained the irony of numerous situations. Likewise, he found humor with many people and situations.

Jay attended Lon Morris College and Jacksonville College, earning a Degree of Associates in Arts from Tyler Junior College. After attending the University of Texas at Tyler, he passed his Nursing State Boards achieving his Registered Nurse (RN) license. Additional certifications are “Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse” and “Nursing Administration”. Eventually he achieved a Texas license as “Clinical Nurse Specialist in Psychiatric and Mental Health”. After graduating with his Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree, he worked towards his Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Degree from University of Texas at Tyler. At this time Jay was awarded membership into Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society. Other achievement awards are many.

Work, for Jay began as summer work at Rusk State Hospital as a non-professional direct care staff. As his education into nursing progressed, likewise, he rose into professional nursing positions eventually achieving a position of Assistant Director of Nursing at Rusk State Hospital. In time, he worked as Director of Nursing for San Antonio State Hospital, San Antonio and later on Director of Nursing, Hospital Section in Austin, developing nursing policies and standardizing nursing practice for eight State Hospitals. Before entering into retirement, he worked temporarily as Hospital Superintendent for Kerrville and Terrell State Hospitals. In addition to his State employment, Jay taught Nursing students for the University of Texas (UT).

He was preceded in death by his parents of Rusk; sister, Sara Gene (Norwood) Woodruff of San Antonio, and brother-in-law Julian Counts of Mt. Pleasant, Texas. Left to cherish his memory are husband Sam A. Lee; sister Ann Counts and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A graveside memorial will be held on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at 2:00 PM at Cedar Hill Cemetery, 200 Salem Rd. in Rusk, Texas.

You are invited to sign the guestbook atwww.porterloring.com

Arrangements with PORTER LORING MORTUARY, 1101 MCCULLOUGH AVE., SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, TELE: (800) 460-2704