Norma J. (Hawk) Reel

Norma Jean (Hawk) Reel, age 94  of Petersburg, WV went to her Heavenly Home on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Norma was born on January 7, 1929 in Bayard, WV and was a daughter of the late Paul Granville Hawk and Mae Elva (Taylor) Hawk. 

In addition to her parents, Norma was preceded in death by her husband, William T. “Gabe” Reel on May 26, 2011; one son, William Dolman Reel on June 21, 1979; six sisters, Mary Ellen Dayton, Shirley A. Arbogast, Lovell M. Goldizen, Eileen Foley, Ramona June Cook and Carolyn S. Conner; two brothers, Paul Wendell Hawk and Olin T. Hawk; son-in-law, Edward Hiser.

Norma is survived by two daughters, Elva Reel Ratcliff (Gerald) of Petersburg, WV and Christene Reel Hiser of Petersburg, WV; two grandsons, Matthew Paul Ratcliff (Mindy) of Gainesville, VA and Ashby William Hiser of Rock Hill, SC; two great grandchildren, Mattox James Ratcliff and Marlee Catherine Ratcliff of Gainesville, VA; three sisters, Phyllis Treadway (Rupert) of Arlington, VA, Frances Park (Tim) of Petersburg, WV and Patricia Parks (Orland) of Scherr, WV; three brothers, Ronald Hawk (Jean) of Cresaptown, MD, William E. Hawk (Joan) of Broomes Island, MD and Richard Hawk (Martha) of Maysville, WV and numerous nieces and nephews.

Norma was a 1946 graduate of Petersburg High School. She was a member of Maysville United Methodist Church and also faithfully attended Corner United Methodist Church after she moved to Petersburg.  Norma loved playing her favorite hymns on her Chord Organ and her Accordion. Norma’s favorite summer pastime was mowing her grass with her lawn tractor and using her weed eater.  Her favorite winter pastime was baking cookies for Mattox and Marlee and working on jigsaw puzzles. Norma loved serving her Lord and helping others. She was a lover of wildlife, nature and West Virginia. Norma was a faithful donor (over 15 Gallons) to the American Red Cross. 

Norma’s family will receive friends Saturday, June 24, 2023 at the Schaeffer Funeral Home from 12 Noon until 2:00 p.m..

Funeral service will begin at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Joseph Gerstell officiating. Interment will follow in the Maysville Cemetery.

Those who wish to remember Norma in a special way, may make memorial donations to either Maysville United Methodist Church c/o Sherry Clark, 787 Lower Knobley Road, Maysville, WV  26833  or Corner United Methodist Church, c/o Bernice Kesner, 2108 Haslacker Road, Maysville, WV  26833 or Hospice Promise Foundation, c/o Grant Memorial Hospice, 100 Hospital Drive, Suite 2, Petersburg, WV 26847.

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