Rev. Norman E. Hartshorn, 90 years and 364 days of age, of Guntersville, Alabama, went home to his eternal reward Monday, June 17, 2024 at his home. He was a resident of Guntersville, Alabama for the past four years and a former resident of Laurel, Mississippi, Vicksburg, Mississippi, Natchez, Mississippi and Bay Springs, Mississippi. He was born on Father’s Day, June 18, 1933 to Rev. James Manning and Maxine Reeder Hartshorn in Norwood, Ohio.
After graduating from Fairview High School in Dayton, Ohio, he followed the call of the Lord on his life to ministry and enrolled at Southwestern Bible Institute in Waxahachie, Texas, where he attended 1951-1953. In January, 1954 he was speaking at a youth rally in Mississippi where a pretty girl singing in a trio caught his eye. He married that pretty girl, Audry Clarice Busby, four months later on May 15, 1954 in Meridian, Mississippi. Together, they shared 70 years of life, love and ministry. Bro. Hartshorn was an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God for 68 years. He served the Mississippi District faithfully pastoring Bethel Assembly of God in Waynesboro, Red Hill Assembly of God in Sandersville, Calvary Assembly of God in Bay Springs, Beechwood Assembly of God in Vicksburg, First Assembly of God in Natchez, Kingston Assembly of God and Myrick Assembly of God both in Laurel. He served the Mississippi District of the Assemblies of God as Assistant District Superintendent, Sectional Presbyter and overseer of Indian Springs Campground. Over the course of the last few years, he lost the ability to recall people, events and memories, but he NEVER lost his ability to call out to the one he loved and served faithfully his entire life, Jesus. He leaves a lasting legacy and spiritual impact on his family and all those whose lives he touched.
Bro. Hartshorn was preceded in death by his father, Rev. James Manning Hartshorn; his mother, Maxine Reeder Hartshorn and his second father who raised him after the death of his father, Harry Hartshorn; two brothers, Mike Hartshorn and Wayne Hartshorn and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Roy and Frances Baygents Busby.
He is survived by his loving wife, Audry Clarice Busby Hartshorn; his children, David Hartshorn and wife, Debbie, of Paragould, Arkansas, Steve Hartshorn and his wife, Kay, of Hamburg, Arkansas, Cindy Hartshorn Richard and her husband, Carl, of Waxahachie, Texas, and Cheryl Hartshorn Stephens and her husband, Glenn, of Guntersville, Alabama; a brother, Vernon Hartshorn and wife, Ruth, of Pulaski, Tennessee; two sisters; Janet Williamson of Clayton, Ohio and Joyce Wuerth and her husband, Bob, of Brecksville, Ohio; 12 grandchildren, Chrissy Clayton and husband, Dave, Katie Vinson and husband, Justin, Erin Holland and husband, Jeremy, James Hartshorn and wife, Jami, Andrew Hartshorn and wife, Amy, Deidra Hartshorn Romero, Abi Gardner and husband, Sam, Isabella Richard, Caleb Stephens, Caitlin Stephens, Cole Stephens and wife, Brittany, Caroline McEathron and husband, Austin; 13 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
Celebration of Life Services are 11 a.m., Friday, June 21, 2024 at the Kingston Assembly of God Church, 4637 HWY 15 North, Laurel, Mississippi 39440 with Rev. Bob Wilburn, Rev. Scott Davis, Rev. Carl Richard and Rev. Jason Pool officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Pallbearers are James Hartshorn, Andrew Hartshorn, Caleb Stephens, Cole Stephens, David Clayton, Jeremy Holland, Justin Vinson, Austin McEathron, Sam Gardner and Seth Hartshorn.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kingston Assembly of God Church, Playground Equipment Program, PO Box 4158, Laurel, MS 39440 or go to www.kingstonag.com/give.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Shepherd’s Cove Hospice in Albertville, Alabama. We will never forget the genuine compassion and care you showed our family in our time of need.
Visitation will be 10-11 a.m. Friday at the church.
