Norman Alvin Hutchens

Norman Alvin Hutchens passed away peacefully at his home on January 5th, 2023, 39 years to the day that his grandfather Dal, went to be with the Lord. Norman was the grandson of Dal and Viola Hobson Norman and HC and Della Bryant Hutchens.

He was proceeded in death by his father Alvin Herman Hutchens. He is survived by his loving and adoring mother, Reva Kate Norman Hutchens. Along with his sister, Karen H. Miller(Greg), a niece Nicole Pardue(Matt), great-nephew and little buddy, Ryley Rodriguez and great niece and nephew, Sadie and Elam Pardue. It was described by his mother as the hottest day of the year. June 27th, 1949...and on that hot day Norman, or as those who knew him best like to call him, "Strawberry", entered this world and broke the mold. He was truly one of a kind. If you were to look up stubborn in the dictionary, you might just see his picture nestled right there beside of it. If you know, you know. The simple pleasures of life brought great joy to Norman. If you looked through his pictures, he wasn’t in a whole lot of them because he was usually the one behind the camera…catching glimpses of God’s creations…the ocean, mountains, rivers…and his garden. Up until recent years you could catch him out there at all hours tending to his cucumbers, talking to his tomato plants, making sure you knew when to start planting and just how far apart those seeds needed to be. His love for hunting, fishing, and playing softball, carried him through many decades. He always talked about the coast and all of his fishing trips. Some stories probably didn’t need to be retold. If you were on any of those trips then your secrets are safe. He played with and against some of the best softball players in the state…S&S Motors, Northwestern Bank, Yadkin Merchants, East Bend Recreation Center, Wiseman Oil and several more. He didn’t know a stranger and It didn’t matter if you were 15 or 50; when you met him, you could bet that you were going to be friends. You never had to question where you stood with him…he was going to tell it like it was and you had two options. You could either listen…or listen. He was as loyal as they came. He would give you the shirt off his back and might give you down the road while he did it, but he’d still give it to you. A dear friend of his said “Strawberry gave all who knew him memories to enjoy for years to come.”  He was witty and always loved to tell a good joke or story…For those of us left here on Earth to carry his memories, he would probably have a clever saying to send you on your way…So…Don’t you worry about the mule, you just load the wagon!

I am certain that there is bluegrass in heaven…and ole Straw is surely up there just a pickin’ and grinnin’...Due to the weather the service will be conducted Sunday, January 8, 2023 at 4:30PM in the Gentry Family Chapel in East Bend with Rev. Mitchell See officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday, January 8, 2023 from 3-4 PM at Gentry Funeral Service in East Bend prior to the service.

A big thank you to special friends Hassel Carroll Jr. and Tammy Brown (and the entire Brown family) for their help, love, and support, shown to Norman and the family over many years. Gentry Family Funeral Service in East Bend is serving the Hutchens family. Online condolences may be made at www.gentryfuneralservice.com.