Joy F. Norwood-Sanford

Once upon a time, in Troup, Texas on August 25, 1945 a “Bundle of Joy” was delivered to Flora (Murphy) and Cornelious Norwood. Always first, she was the first of six children, the first Murphy Girl Grandchild as well as the first Norwood Grandchild. In 1951 the Norwood Family relocated to San Diego, California and united with New Bethel Baptist Church where Joy accepted Christ under the spiritual guidance of her future Father-in-Law the late Pastor, L. R. Sanford. Along with her Father, Aunts and Siblings she was baptized in 1959. While in attendance at New Bethel, Joy was active in the Mission Department, Choirs, Usher Board and was the Sunday School Secretary.  Joy attended Kimble Elementary, National City and O’Farrell Junior High and graduated with the Class of 1964 from Abraham Lincoln High School.  

And then came the story book romance. At the age of nine Joy met the Love of her Life Charles Edward Sanford while her brothers were getting their hair cut. She knew from their first encounter that she would love him forever. Charles and Joy became high school sweethearts and on July 17, 1966 she finally married her Prince; to this union a daughter was born. For more than 50 years they built a life they loved. A true Love Story that will Never End. 

A woman of many talents, Joy has been called Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife, Mother, Deaconess and Granny. Prior to retirement, she was employed by the San Diego Unified School District for twenty-three years as an Outreach Consultant. A devoted fun-loving, humorous mother, grandmother and homemaker, Joy was a remarkable cook and enjoyed preparing meals for her family and friends, most especially over the holidays.

On February 19, 2019 at 8:25 pm in Austin, Texas the order was given for Joy to report for duty. Joy would like to let you know that her work here is done. She received a call for an assignment from which she will not be returning. This assignment comes with a reunion with her husband, family and friends she has not seen in a long time. Joy was a wonderful woman that was loved, is missed, and will always be cherished. Above all we give thanks for the life of a woman I am honored to call Mom, the unique, the complex, the extraordinary and irreplaceable Joy whose beauty, both internal and external, will never be eliminated from our minds. Loved ones that will miss Joy until they meet again is her daughter Charmayne of Pflugerville, TX; her grandson Jovan Sanford-Wesley of Spring Valley, CA; dog Miss Millie of Pflugerville, TX; two sisters Flora Hill and Shirley Scott both of San Diego, CA;  Aunts Ida Mae Moore of Tyler, TX, Josephine Murphy and Dorothy Brown both of San Diego, CA and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins that will miss Joy until they meet again.

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