Reva L. Norris 1971-2020

Reva was born Aug. 15, 1971, to Elsina Alexander Winston and the late Will B. Winston. Reva matriculated through Calvary Christian Academy (CCA) from 1st through 12th grade. Upon graduation from CCA, she continued her education at Youngstown State University receiving her bachelor of science degree in education. While at YSU, she was inducted into the Kappa Delta PI International Honor Society in education. Reva received her master’s degree in early childhood education from Cleveland State University. She taught for 24 years in the Cleveland school system, with her last teaching assignment at East Clark Elementary School as the pre-k teacher.

Reva was the chairperson of the East Clark nominating committee, member of the Academic Achievement Plan, member of the East Clark Journal Club and a member the Parent Involvement Team. She also taught Sunday school and vacation Bible school at Affinity Baptist Church. Reva was water baptized at Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church Jan. 31, 1982, and infilled with the Holy Ghost April, 1982.

Reva was the epitome of a Proverbs 31 woman. She exemplified strength, honor, grace and finesse from her youth. She looked well to the ways of her family and her household. She invested her time and her wealth in the education of her children. She was a fountain of encouragement to her husband, her children and a consummate and gifted teacher. She was a woman of faith, character, grace, prudence and she was articulate and straight forward. The family often teased her about her perfect posture, for which her physician in her youth commended her.

Reva leaves to forever cherish her memory, her husband, William, who she married May 2, 1998; her son, Desmond; her daughter, Mya; her mother, Elsina Alexander Winston; her younger sister, Reaia Carrigan (Mark) of Knightdale, N.C.; aunts and uncles, Mary Williams (Ron), West Hartford, Conn., Evelyn Harden, Ruby Jones (Calvin), Rudene Galloway, all of Youngstown, Rudell Alexander Jr. (Shelia) of Durham, N.C. and Gregory (Tina) of Laurel, Md., who escorted her down the aisle for her wedding ceremony.

She is preceded in death by her father, Will Winston; her grandparents, Rudell and Julia Alexander; and a cousin, Kevin Alexander, who was instrumental in Reva and William becoming a couple; and a host of cousins, family and friends.

Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 4, 2020, from 10 to 11 a.m. at L. E. Black, Phillips and Holden Funeral Home. Private services will be held for the family. Due to the pandemic, all guests are requested to please wear masks and observe social distancing. For the health and safety of everyone, we ask that guests do not linger at the funeral home after viewing.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made to the American Cancer Society in the name of Reva L. Norris.

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