Emanuel Norfor

Reverend Emanuel M. Norfor, Senior Pastor and founder of New Life Apostolic Church, died suddenly on Friday, February 4, 2011. Reverend Norfor, has been a resident of Roswell for almost 32 years. He was born August 5, 1950, in Phoenix, Arizona, the third eldest son of nine children born to John and Anna Norfor. Emanuel graduated from South Mountain High School in Phoenix and received an Associate’s degree in Counseling from Phoenix College. He began working for the United States Post Office in October 1969 and transferred from Phoenix to Roswell in May of 1979 when he was called to the pastorate. He married the love of his life, Barbara R. Wilson, on July 7, 1973, and they have two children, Shalena Patrice and Robert Emanuel. One of Reverend Norfor’s passions was baking. His banana nut bread was second to none. He would bake dozens and dozens of loaves trying to satisfy the many requests he would receive. In spite of his quiet demeanor, Emanuel came to life whenever he talked about the Word of God. He was devoted to God, his family, the church, and he had a genuine love for people. Reverend Norfor was preceded in death by his father, John Norfor; brothers, Thurman, John Edward, and Emitt; and sister, Cynthia Jackson. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 37 years, Barbara “Peaches”; daughter, Shalena “Shay”; son Robert “Rob,” and wife Carla of Albuquerque; mother, Anna Norfor; brothers, Ronny, Joe, and Patrick; sister Cleta Joyce Patterson, and husband Earnest of Atlanta, Georgia; his mother-in-law, Betty Wilson; a host of nieces, nephews, godchildren, cousins, in-laws, friends, and his beloved church family. The wake will be held on Friday, February 11, 2011, at 7 p.m. at New Life Apostolic Church, 1800 W. Bland; and the homegoing celebration will be held on Saturday, February 12, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 500 N. Pennsylvania Ave. in Roswell with burial to follow at South Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12 noon on Thursday, February 10th, until 7 p.m. and Friday, February 11th, from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to New Life Building Fund to help fulfill his vision for the church. Donations can be made online at www.newlife-roswell.org or mailed to NLAC, P. O. Box 5985, Roswell, New Mexico 88202-5985. Please take a moment to share your thoughts and memories in the online register book at andersonbethany.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home & Crematory.

Emanuel Norfor

August 5, 1950 - February 4, 2011