Norma's Life Celebration Service

Norma's Life In Pictures

Norma Seward, 92, passed away February 15, 2023 at Greenwood Meadows nursing home in Greenwood, Indiana.

Norma Richards was born on November 15, 1930 in Indianapolis to Francis Richards and Connie (Morris) Richards. Graduating from Howe High School in Indianapolis, she married Max Seward in 1950. She was a member of Southland Community Church in Greenwood, Indiana. She and her husband were dedicated Christians who loved serving the Lord in various roles as a married couple. Their short-term missions work took them to such countries as Spain and Ireland; here in the United States, they went to New Mexico and took many trips to Alaska, where Norma worked diligently as a cook and an organizer. Her short term-mission work serving the LORD focused mainly on partnering for many years with David Joseph, a full-time missionary to support his call to build a native church in Fairbanks, Alaska. In addition to providing meals to many people when she was in Alaska, Norma initiated a fundraiser here in Greenwood where GOD provided generous financial resources through other Christians to help build the Alaskan church. She had a God-given gift of communication, rallying and bringing people together.

Throughout her life, Norma blessed people in ways that are too numerous to count. Two special endeavors come to memory. She started a prayer shawl ministry at the former Southside Bible Church in Greenwood, Indiana. Knitters prayed blessings into every stitch of the shawls they created before they gave them to fortunate recipients. Norma also owned and operated the Dove Shoppe, selling Christian gifts in Brown County / Nashville, Indiana. This was not a business for her but an outreach to share the light and love of Jesus to others who would visit there.

Norma worked at Western Electric and the Perry Township Assessor's Office for many years, but her true talents were expressed inside the home. Norma's special gifts were hospitality, home décor and cooking. She loved to have others visit her warm and welcoming home to show them the love of Christ. Numerous planned meals over the years were so much enjoyed by many. Whether serving only her family or crowds of people, Norma made every day an occasion to express her love and joy when inviting people into her home and heart. Holidays were special times to create delicious dinners that guests would always remember.

Speaking of guests, some of Norma's favorites were children. Whether her own two sons or the grandkids, she took them on many wonderful vacations and showed them the world. She also mentored the children of friends; she loved to have youngsters around her at home. She had a special place in her heart for teaching young girls how to bake, sew and do crafts. She loved watching them learn and become proficient at doing the things she enjoyed so much.

Her greatest love was for her LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ, followed by her love of family. Norma was preceded in death by her husband, Max Seward; her daughter, Julie Seward, who died at one-month-old; her brother, Neil Richards; and a grandson, Joseph Rembusch. She is survived by her two beloved sons and her daughter-in-law: her son Mike Seward, who was her longtime caregiver; and her son Mark Seward and his wife Marianne of Jacksonville, Florida; her precious grandchildren, Libby Wiggers (Alex) of Evansville, Indiana.; and Shelby Barmes (Mark); her great-grandchildren, C.J. Oesterling, Christopher Oesterling, Clara Oesterling; and other beloved family members that include nieces, nephews and cousins.

Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center in Franklin, Indiana is handling the arrangements. Pastor David Joseph will conduct a celebration/memorial service along with Pastor Kerry Huffman on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 1 pm at Southland Community Church, 5800 W. Smith Valley Road, Greenwood, Indiana 46142. Family and friends may call from 12 noon to 1 pm. Burial ceremony will follow the service at Greenwood Cemetery, 620 W. Main St., Greenwood, Indiana 46142.

The service will be live streamed at Southland Community Church's website ( www.southlandchurch.com ). Just click on the "watch live" button on the upper righthand corner of the homepage at 1 pm. Within a few days afterward, a video of the service will be posted online at http://www.swartzmortuary.com/obituary/norma-seward .

In lieu of flowers, if desired, memorial contributions may be made to:

Bibles For the World, Box 49759, Colorado Springs, CO 80949 / 888-382-4253/ Email: contact@bftw .org

To give online condolences for and remembrances of Norma go to:

Obituary for Norma Seward at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center

For more information, please call 317-738-0202.