Norma Goddard Stevens

More than a century of love, trials of life and an undying love for God, family and Country. Our mother, Norma Gaye Stevens (Goddard) went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, January 4, 2026.

Born in Maywood, WV (Sewell Mountain in Fayette County), August 28, 1924, to Corliss Earl Goddard and Roberta Susan (nick named ‘Bob’) Cavendish Goddard. Mom was the oldest of three children. She was raised on the Loops Road on a farm. She was educated in a one room schoolhouse in her early years. Graduating from Nuttall High School, mother left Southern WV, during World II to work for the war effort in a munitions plant (Trumph Explosives) in Elkton, MD. From there, she moved to Seattle, living with an aunt and working for Boeing Aircraft. She returned to Newark, DE, to pursue a nursing degree when she met our dad, Harry G. Stevens, a Delaware State Trooper. They married in 1949. They went on to establish a home in Wilmington, DE and she lived the last 60+ years in their home on the Eastern Shore of Maryland on the Chesapeake Bay, West View Shores, Earleville, MD. She and our father were married 44 years before he went home to be with the Lord in 1993. Mother held the distinction of being the oldest known living descendant of the Cavendishes from the Revolutionary War era.

Norma will be remembered by her children, family and friends as a passionate lover of her Lord, country and family. She oftened quoted the Declaration of Independence as the foundation of our country, reflecting the real meaning of Americanism.

Those who have preceded her in death are her husband, Harry G. Stevens; father and mother, Earl and Roberta Goddard; brother Harold (‘H’) Goddard and sister, Linda Goddard. Left to cherish the memories are her children, Joyce Garrison (Tom) of Ranson, WV; son, Norman Stevens of Earleville, MD; granddaugher, Rebekah Lewis (Mike); great-granddaughers, Gracyn Lewis and Cecelia Lewis of Berryville, VA; and nephews, nieces and cousins in several states.

Our sincere thanks go to the wonderful nursing team and staff at Fahrney Keedy Senior Living, Memory Care, where our mother lived these last 2-1/2 years. For their care and loving support, we will be eternally grateful.

Norma will be buried in a private ceremony in her beloved West Virginia hills. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In rememberance of Norma, you are welcome to donate to a charity of your choice or to the Delaware State Police Camp Barnes for children. Camp Barnes, 37171 Camp Barnes Road. Frankford, DE 19945 (campbarnes.net online)

Rest in peace in the arms of our Lord mother, until we are together again.