Barbara McNorton Hovell

Barbara McNorton Hovell, a long time resident of Chickasaw and Mobile, Alabama,
passed away peacefully on June 19, 2025 in hospice care in Louisiana. Barbara was
born Barbara Allen McNorton on June 21, 1936 to Gladys Pugh McNorton and James
Edward “Hunly” McNorton, II in Castleberry, Alabama. She moved to Prichard,
Alabama with her family when she was young. She attended CF Vigor High School
where she graduated in 1952. She married Walter Lee Hovell, Sr on June 21, 1957.
They became residents of Chickasaw, Alabama where they lived and raised their three
children - Cynthia Jane Hovell, Heidi Allen Hovell and Walter Lee Hovell, Jr.

Barbara returned to college while in her 30’s and graduated just shy of her 40th
birthday from the University of South Alabama with a degree in elementary education.
She later obtained her Master’s Degree from same. Barbara loved teaching elementary
school and taught over 20 years in Mobile County Public Schools; she always claimed
4th grade was her favorite. She was a loved and respected teacher, both by students,
fellow teachers and principals. In 2000, Barbara moved to Athens, Alabama to live near
her son Lee and later moved to Wisconsin in 2006 to live near her daughter Heidi. But
Barbara was an Alabama girl at heart and returned to Athens in 2010 where she lived
until health issues forced her into assisted living and then nursing home care. Some of
the things Barbara loved most in life were listening to her daughters play piano,
watching her son play sports and being his biggest cheerleader, antiquing, attending
estate and yard sales, decorating her home, and visiting her children and
grandchildren. She was known for her beautiful red hair, big smile, vibrant personality,
and strong opinions. She was a woman of great character and strength, and she
possessed a fierceness that empowered her.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents Gladys and Hunly McNorton, husband
Walter Lee Hovell Sr, granddaughter Allen Cynthia Stanley, sister Ada Vernell Orso,
brother James Edward McNorton, III, and brother Chestley Gary McNorton. 

She is survived by her three children Cynthia Hovell Holladay, Heidi Hovell Stanley (Mike),
Walter Lee Hovell, Jr (Diana), brother John Thomas McNorton (Mary), grandchildren
Hanson Hovell Holladay, Brittany Hovell Knezevic (Dejan), Michael Ernest Stanley II,
Candice Megan Hovell, Robert LeEdward Holladay (Claire), Carley Hovell Childress
(Nathan), James Lee Stanley (Gabriela) and BarbaraAnn Holladay Coldiron (Adam), as
well as nine great grandchildren (Mia Childress, Ian Childress, Hagan Holladay, Nova
Hovell Childress, Josephine Holladay, Lawson Coldiron, Vera Hovell Childress, Gianna
Knezevic, and Juliet Holladay), numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

There will be a service honoring the life of Barbara on June 30, 2025 at First Baptist
Church in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Visitation will begin at 10am with service following at
11am. Flowers can be delivered to the church at 2200 1st Street, Gulf Shores, or in lieu
of flowers, contributions made to St. Jude’s Hospital or The Salvation Army.