F. Norril Smith

F. Norril Smith passed away on Dec. 10 while at home in Nottingham. He was 89.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Marie Gaddis Smith.

Born in Marion, WV, he was the son of the late Robert and Arietta Kegley Smith.

Norril was employed with Mack Resse Mushroom Farm and was formerly employed with his father on his mushroom farm. He was also employed as a farmer.

He enjoyed fishing, airplanes, and his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife; one brother, Earl Smith (Carol) of Nottingham; and two sisters, Shirley Hall of Oxford and Trudy Titus of Virginia.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Walter, Jimmy and Bobby; and three sisters, Libby, Marion and Louise.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 27 at the Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church, 303 W. Christine Road in Nottingham, where friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. Friends and family may also visit on Sunday, Dec. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, 86 Pine St. in Oxford.

Interment will be in the adjoining cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Thomas John Purifoy

Thomas John Purifoy was called Home by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Nov. 26 after a brief illness. He was surrounded by his loving family at home as he entered eternal life peacefully. He had recently moved from Texas to West Grove to live with his children and grandchildren. He was 81 and lived a full and accomplished life, sustained by his steadfast faith and trust in Christ.

Tom was born to Edmond and Evelyn Purifoy in Tucson, AZ. His parents, his sister Eva Purifoy Murawski, his brother-in-law Joseph Murawski, and his beloved parents-in-law Rodolfo and Josefina Garcia predeceased him.

He is greatly loved and missed by Myrna, his devoted wife of 51 years; a son, Jonathan and his wife, Christie; a son, Eric and his wife Lori; and his precious grandchildren Lillian, Thaddeus, Beau, and Elsa. He will be remembered by numerous extended family members and friends.

A standout athlete in high school, Tom lettered in football, basketball, and track and field. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Air Force and proudly served our country. He and his crew maintained the engines of B-52 bombers during the Vietnam War. He was honored as the top instructor of aircraft maintenance.

In 1970, he earned his bachelor of science degree in mathematics from the University of Texas, met his dream girl, Myrna, and they were married that year in Austin. They both became teachers for Austin ISD. The following year, they moved to Corpus Christi to be near her parents where they taught for Corpus Christi ISD. He was a math teacher at King High School when he earned his master’s degree in school administration and was selected as the director of staff development for the district. Then he entered the doctoral program at the University of Texas and earned his Ph.D in school administration, while Myrna was a stay-at-home mom to their two sons. He became principal at King High school and Flour Bluff High School. In 1987, the family moved to Bryan when Tom was chosen to be assistant superintendent for administration of Bryan ISD.

After working 30 years for public schools, Tom retired and was immediately hired as a professor at Schreiner University in Kerrville. He was instrumental in designing and developing the master’s in education and the principal certification program, which granted university status to Schreiner College at that time. After 20 years of teaching there, he retired as a tenured, full professor. He was 75, having been an educator for 50 years. His former students who became principals would still seek his guidance.

A man of many gifts, he was a brilliant problem solver and an extraordinary craftsman, always ready to help family, friends and neighbors. He excelled in mechanics, carpentry, electrical wiring, plumbing, masonry, design, and construction.

Fascinated by the wonders of nature and the beauty of mountains, lakes, rivers and beaches, Tom enjoyed taking the family on numerous camping trips in their trailer, including visiting the country’s extraordinary national parks. He and Myrna visited all 48 contiguous states and traveled extensively in Mexico and Canada.

Tom was a dedicated dad to Jonathan and Eric from the time they were born until his last days. His unwavering love for them and support let them know that they could always count on him. They both reflect his outgoing nature and willingness to help everyone with a servant’s heart.

Tom had a twinkle in his blue eyes and easily made those around him laugh. He will be missed greatly.

Honoring Tom’s wishes, there will be no services held.  

Arrangements are being held by the Foulk Funeral Home of West Grove.

Please visit Tom’s online memorial by going to www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

Francis J. “Frank” Novack, III

Francis J. “Frank” Novack, III, 61, formerly of Oxford, went home to his Heavenly Father on Dec. 13 at Green Meadows Rehabilitation Center. 

Born in Lancaster, he was the son of Francis, Jr., and Peggy M. (Mann) Novack. 

Frank was a 1979 graduate of Penn Manor High School. He went on to work as a car salesman for several car dealerships in Lancaster. He enjoyed NASCAR, Philadelphia Eagles football, building models, and keeping up with family and friends on Facebook. 

Frank is survived by his sister, Joan Novack, wife of Nelson Saunders of Oxford; a niece, Janeane Novack; a nephew, Jason Novack and numerous extended family members. 

A memorial service will take place at Dewald Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc. 227 West 4th Street, Quarryville, Pa. on Wednesday, Dec. 22 at 6:30 p.m. 

The family will greet friends at the funeral home from 6 to 6:30 p.m. 

Private interment will be at the discretion of the family. Online guestbook at www.dewalds.com.

Elizabeth (Betty) D’Orazio

Betty D’Orazio passed away quietly on Dec. 14. She was 92.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Angelo, and her two brothers, Emedio and Elmo Troiani.  She is survived by her three children and their families. This includes a daughter, Carolyn, and her husband Michael and children, Dan, Angeline and Steve, as well as Dan’s daughter Alyssa; a daughter, Antoinette, and her husband Bill; and a son, Tony, and his wife Connie, and his children, Matt, Kristine and Torrie, and Torrie’s children, Kaelyn and Owen.

Betty was born in Wilmington, Del. where she graduated from Wilmington High School and worked in her family’s specialty grocery store, Valentino’s Market, located on King Street.  Valentino’s was well known in the community as a resource for exotic produce and imported gourmet foods, as well as meat and deli items. At Christmastime Betty helped create the market’s signature customized fruit baskets for its many customers. 

A talented artist, Betty applied her skills to woodworking, sculpture, charcoal drawing, and painting with acrylics, oils, and watercolor.  She owned her own kiln, and fired pottery at home for her family who still cherish many of her pieces including pottery, paintings, and furniture.  Betty loved all of her creative endeavors and more than once won a prize in Kennett Square’s Christmas decorating contest.

Betty was very active and athletic. She helped coach the swim team at the Kennett Square Golf and Country Club and taught all of her children and grandchildren to swim. She also coached a local girls’ softball team.  Her upbeat, friendly personality made her a perfect fit for her job as hostess at the Three Little Bakers Dinner Theater, and many will remember her as the woman who handed out “Turtle Bread” to contest winners and danced onstage with Baker Nick Immediato. She also volunteered at Longwood Gardens as the greeter at the Pierce DuPont House.

Betty loved the Jersey Shore.  She first spent time in Atlantic City with her mother, then in Wildwood, and finally migrating to Cape May where she spent over 30 summers vacationing with her extended family.  There was nothing she loved more than a day at the beach with her grandchildren, sitting on the sand, swimming in the ocean, walking the boardwalk and visiting the stores and arcades with them.  Betty’s family was always her first priority, and she worked hard to establish traditions that will live on for generations.  She was a great teacher, and passed on her skills of cooking, sewing, all kinds of art, and even filmmaking to her family.  She loved gardening, live music, light beer on ice, and dancing. She will be missed by her family and a great number of friends.

Services were held on Dec. 21 at the Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square.

Contributions may be made in Mrs. D’Orazio’s name to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 16th floor, New York, NY 10001 or by visiting https://alzfdn.org.

Arrangements are being handled by the Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square.

Please visit the online memorial by going to www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

Pamela Sanford Herglotz

Pamela Sanford Herglotz died peacefully at her home in Marietta, GA on Dec. 3. She spent her last days with her daughter Kristin, son-in-law Keven, granddaughter Emily and supportive caregivers and loved ones. 

Born in Wilmington, Del. on December 26, 1944, to parents Agnes and James Sanford, Pam was a devoted mother, wife, and friend, who carried throughout her life a passion for family, faith, the arts, and community.

Pam grew up and spent her early years in the tri-state region, attending the University of Delaware in pursuit of an arts degree, then starting a family, having two children, Sean and Kristin.  Pam later moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 1979, marrying Harald Herglotz, and expanding her family to include his four children, Harold, Hampton, Kevin and Heath, whom she helped raise and nurture.

Pam and Harald’s love for each other was connected through their mutual passion for family, art, nature and cooking. Pam focused her art mainly on watercolor and oil portraits, while Harald specialized in crystal engraving. They would often cook together and loved to share in making traditional German dishes for family and friends. They enjoyed day trips where they could enjoy the outdoors and go antiquing together. Family reunions, particularly around Thanksgiving and Christmas, were always special to Pam, and her joyous laugh always brought smiles and hugs from the children and grandchildren.

Anchored by her faith, Pam always looked forward to the fellowship with her church friends and Bible study groups. She was very nurturing, a good listener, and a mentor to many, especially with her children. Her love language was acts of kindness and service, always doing for her family and friends and being supportive.  She loved special projects – sewing, collecting antique treasures, artistically refinishing furniture, homemaking, and painting murals for local schools and churches.  Her artwork was a constant passion that provided peace and happiness.

Pam was blessed with a very large and loving family that brought her so much joy, happiness and pride.  

She is preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, Harald Joseph.  

She is survived by her blended family of six children: Sean Kenney, of Yorktown, VA, and his wife Holly; Kristin Kenney-Izen of Atlanta, GA, and her husband Keven; Kevin of Los Angeles, CA, and his husband James Maxwell; Heath of Tuscaloosa and his wife Jackie; Harold of Tuscaloosa and his wife Trisha; and Hampton of Anchorage, AK, and his wife Arianne. Pam’s spirit lives on in her nine grandchildren, Allison and Ryan Kenney; Emily Izen; Patrick and Justin Herglotz; Reilly Maxwell; Hailey and Peyton Herglotz; Ryan, Josiah and Kayla Herglotz; and, a great-grandchild, London Herglotz.

A funeral service celebrating Pam’s life was held at New London Presbyterian Church on Dec. 19. 

Pam was a lover of animals, particularly cats. Her beloved Willow was with her for the past 11 years. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made online to the Humane Society of Birmingham https://gbhs.org/donate, via mail to the Humane Society of Tuscaloosa https://www.humanesocietyofwa.org/contact, or to a local animal shelter in Pam’s name.  

Arrangements are by Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. (484-734-8100).  

Condolences may be shared at www.griecofunerals.com.