Coach Warren Jacob "Crow" Norvell

Coach Crow Norvell was born in a modest shack of a home outside of the rural unincorporated town of Wright City, Texas to Effie Mae Bankston Norvell and her rugged hard working oil field husband, Walter Jacob Norvell on November 20, 1936.  He departed this life peacefully in the presence of family at 11:11 am on January 21, 2022 at the age of 85 years, 2 months and 1 day.

Warren Jake (as his mom referred to him) attended New London Schools after it had been rebuilt due to the tragic school explosion in March 1937, which was just 4 months after his birth.  He attended school with many friends later that had lost family in the disaster.  It was in his upper grade years that Warren Jake acquired the nickname “CROW” that remained with him for the remainder of his life.

After graduating from New London High, Crow attended Tyler Junior College on a football scholarship, having been recruited by the infamous Coach Floyd Wagstaff.  It was there in Tyler that he met the love of his life, Georgia Ann Cockrell.  Sweet Georgia, an Apache Belle, and Crow made quite the couple!  After TJC, Crow attended Trinity University in San Antonio on a 2nd football scholarship.  A year behind Crow, once Georgia graduated at TJC, she promptly followed Crow and they married in August 1958.  Crow was a dedicated husband; attending school, playing football and working nights to make ends meet.  They started their family there in San Antonio.

Crow’s Football Coaching career started in 1961 at Bonham High School, then continued to Joaquin Texas. He was recruited to San Augustine due to his success and youthful exuberance while coaching the Joaquin Rams, who was in the same district as the Wolves.  Crow served as the SA Athletic Director and Head Football Coach from 1965 to 1974 retiring to focus more time and attention to his family and 4 children.  He was a Principal for 30+ years before retiring.  He was also very charitable to the Boys and Girls Club of East Texas.

Crow played a significant role in the growth and maturation in sports and in life for many young people here and elsewhere throughout his life.  A few of his accomplishments included being recognized as the 3rd winningest Coach in 1973 by EAST TEXAS FOOTBALL magazine carrying an .829 winning percentage and winning 4 District Championships in 8 years at SA and being runner up in 3 of those years.  In 2005, he was awarded the local COMMUNITY BUILDER AWARD, a state and nationally recognized award of the Masonic Lodges of Texas.

Crow is currently survived by sons:  W. Lane Norvell and wife Carol of Tyler; Jerry Dean Norvell and wife Shelly of Nacogdoches;  M. Lance Norvell and wife Denise of Nacogdoches; Daughter:  Nickie L. Norvell Phillips and husband Steve Phillips of Huntington; Grandchildren include:  Andrea Martin & husband Jamie,  Clay Phillips & wife Starla,  Carlee Badeaux & husband Anthony,  Brandon Norvell,  Ty Tatum, Cassidy Peek and husband Derek,  Zach Norvell,  Madelyn (Madie) Norvell and Weston Norvell; Great Grandchildren: Lincoln, Reese & Tate Martin, Raysen, Cooper & Cane Phillips, Bailee, Arbor and Auden Badeaux, Lydia Fredwell and Lyssa Peek.

He was proceeded in death by his wife, Georgia Ann Norvell in 2008, both of his parents, Effie and Jake Norvell, his younger brother Gerald (Jerry) Norvell in 2013 and by a very special great grandchild, Cooper Lane Phillips in 2019.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, January 24, 2022, at Wyman Roberts Funeral Home, located at 316 W. Columbia Street in San Augustine.

Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at the San Augustine Church of Christ, located at 105 W. Market Street in San Augustine.

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