Norman W. Rowland left the bonds of this life on Saturday, January 26, 2019. He was born 94 years ago in Pinetown, North Carolina, where he learned barbering from his dad at a very young age. He played mandolin, guitar, and banjo and entertained on the radio with his uncles. At age 18, he registered with selective service for the draft and moved to Hampton, taking a job at Boyd Brothers Barber Shop in Newport News. He joined the navy in 1943 and attended 20 weeks of radio school in Auburn, Alabama, where he met his future wife, Gilda, on a blind date. They married in March of 1944. He began his naval service as a radio operator, but when the navy found out what a good barber he was, they extended the opportunity to him to serve as a ships barber. When Norman left the Navy, he and Gilda made their home in Hampton, where he barbered for another 65 years.

Norman was an active member of Northampton Christian Church where he served as a deacon and usher. He loved to greet the people as they arrived at church, especially in his later years. He shared the truth of God's Word with folks, often going outside his home to reason with anyone who stopped by. He is predeceased by his parents, siblings, and his son, Brett. Survivors include his wife of almost 75 years, Gilda, one daughter, Cheryl Rawlins, and sons Jeffrey Rowland and wife Carol, and Christopher Rowland and wife Anita, and six grandchildren, Ben and Heather Rawlins, Brandon Rowland, Meaghan Pennell, and Justin and Taylor Rowland. Visitation will be at 11 o'clock Saturday, February 2, at Northampton Christian Church at 1409 Todds Lane, with funeral service at 12 o'clock. Burial will follow at Parklawn Memorial Park in Hampton.