Norma Carmen Graterole

Mrs. Norma Carmen Gonzales Graterole, 93, of Cottageville, entered into rest peacefully while surrounded by her loving family following an extended and courageously battled illness on Saturday evening, November 15, 2014, at the home of her daughter, Gretchen, in Summerville, South Carolina. She was the loving and devoted wife of the late Mr. Benny Santiago Graterole.

Funeral services will be conducted 2 o’clock Thursday afternoon, November 20, 2014, from The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Chapel, Walterboro. The Reverend Bobby Ethridge officiating. The Final Commendation and Farewell will follow in Glendale Memorial Cemetery, 2210 Mount Carmel Road, Walterboro.

Born October 9, 1921, a native of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, she was a daughter of the late Marcos A. Gonzales and the late Celia M. Arana Gonzales. For many years, she worked as a secretary with Greenland Studios in Miami, Florida and after her retirement lived the remainder of her life as a devoted housewife and mother, being to her children a wonderful and providing mother, and to her grandchildren and great grandchildren a selfless demonstration of love and faith. Norma held her faith close to her heart. Raised by her parents as a Roman Catholic she in later years of her life joined the Walterboro Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. However, she never truly resigned herself from her roots in Catholicism and until the hour of her death, remained faithful to her prayers and teachings. She possessed a special love for music, enjoying beautiful piano music. She always delighted in the arts, her roses, and the beauty of the hummingbird.

Surviving are: her children, Evelyn M. Hutto and her husband Francis of Mount Pleasant, Elba L. Lawhon of Cottageville, Norma J. Walser of Cottageville, Gretchen T. Graterole of Summerville, Alva L. G. Albersmeyer of Las Curces, New Mexico, Enda H. Graterole of Long Island, New York, and Mildred Graterole of New Mexico; one brother, Francisco J. Gonzales; and one sister, Liana S. Gonzales. There are seventeen grandchildren; twenty-six great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Olga L. Wilson.

The family will receive friends Wednesday evening with the Holy Rosary being recited at 6 o’clock and visitation following until 8 o’clock that evening and also Thursday prior to the funeral ceremony beginning at 1 o’clock at THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOME, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro; 843.538.5408. Visit the registry online at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.

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