Lafayette (Loffy) Norwood

Lafayette Norwood was born September 12, 1934 in Clearview, OK. He was the second child of Bernice and Evalue (Chatman) Norwood. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at the age of 12. He moved to Wewoka where his father opened a jewelry store and he attended school. The family later moved to Wichita, Kansas. He united with Ninth Street Baptist Church after moving to Lawrence in 1977. He followed with becoming a charter member of Victory Bible Church from 1983 until his Homegoing, serving as church treasurer until January 2000.

At an early age and continuing throughout his adult life, Lafayette embraced a strong awareness of the power of giving of self, being blessed with a strong Christian father and mother who taught him that the “the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 1:17) and that he should give God the glory in all that he did. It was from these kinds of teachings that the framework, designing, and planning of his entire life took shape, realizing that it was not his will but God’s will that would be done.

After graduating from Wichita East High School, he attended Arkansas City (now Cowley County) Junior College, where he met and married the former Betty Ann White. He then completed his degree at Southwestern College in Winfield, KS, followed by a master’s degree at Wichita State. Lafayette and Betty, who died in May 2010 had four children. Daughters Fayetta and Sherri Lynn preceded him in death. His son Seth died in May 2011. He is survived by his son, Cory. He is also survived by his wife Patricia; grandchildren, Alexius, Akeshia, Ashlyn, and Janae; brother Gerald; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives, and friends. Lafayette is the cousin to Shirley Nero and Marilyn Jackson of Clearview and first cousin to the late Roy Ballard of Clearview, Oklahoma.

Lafayette taught and coached in the Wichita school system for 18 years before accepting the position of assistant basketball coach at the University of Kansas in 1977, under head coach Ted Owens. Following four years at KU, he accepted the head coaching position at Johnson County Community College. During Summers he coached Middle School and High School Boys AAU basketball teams throughout metropolitan Kansas City. Nurturing a positive, family unit was the emphasis of his daily life, having learned that a true love of God makes love for family and natural experience.

He would like to issue this challenge: To please God you must serve him with all your heart, mind, and soul. He would wish that all young and old would use this moment of reflection to make sure you put God first and in “all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.” Lafayette truly believed that this understanding was the foundation of his life, which we celebrate today. If you feel he touched your life in some way and you enjoyed being a part of his, keep him alive by giving to others, and Lafayette will live forever.

The family suggests donations to the Norwood Children’s Educational Fund as a memorial to Lafayette’s love of family and education. Memorials sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, KS, 66044. Online condolences made at rumsey-yost.com. A celebration of his life will happen when friends and extended family can attend.

Private family services for Lafayette Norwood, 86, Lawrence, will be broadcast at https://www.facebook.com/RumseyYostFuneralHomeandCrematory at 2 pm, on Monday, January 11, 2021. Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory, 601 Indiana St Lawrence, KS 66044 (785) 843-5111