Harold Norman West, Sr

A service of celebration will be held at 11:00 Saturday, the 21st of June, at First Baptist Church, Moncks Corner for Mr. H. Norman West, Sr. Interment will follow in St. John’s Baptist Church Cemetery, directed by Russell Funeral Chapel. The family will receive friends at First Baptist Church from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of service.

Mr. West died on Wednesday, June 18, 2014. The son of the Rev. W. Edgar West, Sr. and Imel Joyce West, he was born in Rocky Mount, NC on August 15, 1920.

Mr. West was predeceased by his parents, two brothers, William E. West, Jr., Joseph R. West, Sr., a sister, Imel West McCants, his wife of 63 years, Marjorie Hodges West, and a grandson, Philip Norman West.

He is survived by his four children, Mary “Martee” West Fansher and her husband, Kenneth, of Moncks Corner; Harold “Hal” N. West, Jr. and his wife, Elliott, of Bonneau Beach; John S. West and his wife, Priscilla; and Joyce West Ling, and her husband, David, of Shulerville. Mr. West was blessed with 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

A graduate of Berkeley High School, he attended Wake Forest University, later graduating from the University of South Carolina, as well as the University of South Carolina Law School. He was admitted to the S. C. Bar in 1945. He began his legal career as an attorney in the Legal Department of Santee Cooper. He later ventured into private practice, ably and generously serving many Berkeley County citizens during his long and distinguished career.

Mr. West served as the Master-in-Equity for Berkeley County from 1950 to 1960. He was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1960 where he served until 1970. Following his legislative career, he served as a member of the South Carolina Highway Commission from 1970 to 1974.

Mr. West was an active member of First Baptist Church Moncks Corner. He had been a member since 1930, when his father, Rev. Edgar West, became the pastor. Through the years, he served in numerous positions and on various committees of the church. He was a long time Deacon and Chairman of the Missions Committee. First Baptist planted three churches under his leadership. He also wrote The History of First Baptist Church, Moncks Corner, SC.

In addition to being passionate about his faith and his family, Mr. West was an avid outdoorsman. He was an astute observer of nature and her many beautiful expressions as the handiwork of God. He greatly relished the time he spent in the woods, or on the waters, of Berkeley County with his children, grandchildren, and dear friends, both young and old.

“Mr. Norman,” as many of his younger friends called him, was a counselor and mentor to many in the field of law, the church, and in the outdoor and hunting realm. His wit and wisdom endeared him to many. He was respected by his peers and greatly beloved by his family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of choice or to the “Local Missions Fund” of First Baptist Church, 112 E. Main Street, Moncks Corner, SC, 29461.