Dr. Norton E. Cowart, 94, died peacefully at his home on July 20, 2014. He was born in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, January 17, 1920, to Benjamin and Emily Coltrane Cowart. Norton spent most of his life in Huntsville.
He was a 1943 graduate of Birmingham-Southern College and received his Doctor of Medicine in 1946 from the University of Illinois, Chicago. Norton served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War. He practiced internal medicine in Huntsville for over 30 years. He was devoted to his patients and made house calls often during his career. He was a member of the medical staff at Huntsville Hospital and Humana Hospital. He served as Chief of Medicine at both hospitals. He served on the Board of Directors of Mutual Assurance and was an organizer and member of the Board of Directors of Peoples National Bank. As a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Huntsville, he served as both a deacon and an elder.
Norton married Lillian Lanham in 1944, and they were happily married for nearly 70 years. An enthusiastic traveler, he and Lillian spent many years traveling the world together. He was also an avid golfer and played regularly until the age of 93. Norton was a loving and generous father of five children. His legacy to all of us is love and commitment to family.
Survivors include his wife, Lillian Cowart; children, Cynthia Cowart Palmer (Bernie), Beverly Cowart Settle (Gregg), Norton E. Cowart, Jr. (Linda), Rebecca Cowart Hammond (Dewey), and Steven L. Cowart; grandchildren, Thomas N. Cowart (Giselle), Lillian B. Palmer, 1Lt. Daniel D. Hammond (Elizabeth), Nicholas S. Palmer, Lauren F. Hammond, Lorena J. Calderon (George), Samuel G. Settle, and Virginia L. Hammond; and great-grandchildren, Mary Rebecca, Ruth Sadie, and Joanna Grace Hammond.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 24, at First Presbyterian Church with visitation to follow.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation or First Presbyterian Church.
