Nora Hackworth


Nora Emilynn Hackworth, 76, of Marshall, Michigan passed away on Friday, November 6, 2020 at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan.
She was born on July 09, 1944 in Conway, South Carolina to William Furman and Maybelle (Singleton) Cooper and married Reverend Ronald Hackworth on November 9, 1974; sadly he preceded her in death.
Nora was working as a medical billing specialist for several years, but she was mainly a Pastor's wife for 43 years. She was an incredible pastor’s wife, helpmate and a loving mother. She was the epitome of a “praying momma” for all of her children. Her grace and integrity under pressure was an example to all. She was a very determined person and taught herself how to play the organ and sing in order to help with the music for church.
She loved to sing old church hymnals. Many mornings she woke up her children by singing “It’s time to get up, it’s time to get up, it’s time to get up this morning,” or “You are my Sunshine.” Both were extremely annoying at 6 a.m.
On road trips she would sing songs like “The Knoxville Girl” which was about a girl thrown off the Knoxville bridge or, “The Death of Little Kathy Fiscus” which was about a girl who fell in a well in 1949. Her most requested road trip song was “The Preacher Who Went out a Huntin.” Those were some incredible road trips.
After her husband died, Nora taught herself how to paint by watching Bob Ross on Youtube and taking to heart that there truly is no such thing as a mistake, “Just happy accidents.” Nora was an excellent artist, using pour over medium and acrylics as her painting style.
She enjoyed cooking with her specialty being Chicken Bog. Family get-togethers were her most favorite times as they would be filled with singing and dancing - she could do a mean jitterbug. Her kids always looked forward to her Christmas cookies and holiday dinners. She also loved to meet with her coffee buddies at the local coffee shop and you could find her there almost every morning. She even had her own mug. And, she loved her siblings. She loved to travel back to South Carolina to spend time with family and friends. Once her husband passed away, she became an active member of the Christ Apostolic Church in Albion, Michigan.
Nora is survived her children Kellee (Dana) Densmore of Niles, Michigan, Ginger (Sam) Billingsley of Dowagiac, Michigan, Kimberlee (James) Miller of East Leroy, Michigan, Ronald Hackworth of Dowagiac, Michigan and James (Lauren) Hackworth of Marshall, Michigan; 12 grandchildren,11 great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter; her siblings Mary Grace Richardson of Conway, South Carolina, Juanita (Odell) Hughes (sister) of Conway, South Carolina, Leveta Mishoe of Conway, South Carolina, Helen “Jo Ann” Williams of Conway, South Carolina, Patricia Capps of Johnsonville, South Carolina and William (Kathy) Cooper of Florence, South Carolina. She was preceded in death by her husband Reverend Ronald Hackworth; her parents and her siblings,; Elena Luke, Mayfield Cooper, Wilma Fitch and Erva Lee Roberts.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at William R. Starr Camp and Conference Center in Marshall, Michigan. Interment was at Albion Memory Gardens in Albion, Michigan.
Memorials contributions are requested to Turning Point Ministries.
Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 723 US Hwy 27 N Marshall, Michigan 49068. Please visit https://kempffuneralhome.com to view the on line obituary, to sign the on line guestbook or to leave the family condolences.