Terry Luwanda Normore “Coach Normore”

March 25, 1961 – April 10, 2025 Friendship-West Baptist Church Dallas, Texas

Earthly Resting Place

Laurel Land Memorial Park ~ Dallas, Texas

Services Entrusted

Golden Gate Funeral Home ~ Dallas, Texas

With hearts full of love and gratitude, we announce the heavenly transition of Terry Luwanda Normore, affectionately known as Coach Normore, on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 3:30 a.m. surrounded by the warmth of family.

Coach Normore is now reunited with beloved ancestors who receded her in death: her grandparents (Ories Normore, Dolena Horn, James Smith, and Aslee Hudson), uncles (David Lee Smith, Eugene Normore, and Lonnie Normore), aunts (Inell Smith, Teresa Aleander, Queen Ester Horn), brotherin- law (Fred Pearson), and many dear cousins and friends.

She leaves a legacy of love through her daughter Brianna, cherished granddaughter Kali; parents Clifford and Ernestine, sister Brenda Pearson, brothers David, Cliff (Lynn), and Clint (Becky), and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will carry her memory forward.

Terry’s life was grounded in faith, family, education, friendship, and her passion for basketball. A devout believer, she gave her life to Christ as a child and was a member of St.

Matthews CME Church in Wichita, Kansas. Later, she became an active member of Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, Teas, where her spirit of service continued to flourish. Her unwavering dedication to her mother and father was in accordance with the Fifth Commandment: Honor thy father and they mother.”

Coach Normore was a radiant light in every room she entered – a loyal friend, a loving mother and grandmother, and a fierce advocate for unity and connection.

She took great pride in organizing the annal Normore-Horn family reunions, ensuring the family remained boned and whole. Her daughter Brianna and granddaughter Kali were the center of her world, and her close relationship with her sister Brenda – her confidante and companion – was a testament to the depth of sisterhood and friendship.

A standout scholar and athlete, Terry graduated from Bishop Carroll High School in Wichita, Kansas, and went on to earn a full basketball scholarship to Emporia State University. There, she not only excelled on the court – becoming one of the school’s top scorers and rebounders – but also in the classroom, earning honors and accolades. She was a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., honored as a Silve Star in 2020.

Her love of learning didn’t stop there. Terry earned master’s degrees in both Education and African American History and brought that knowledge into her roles as an award-winning teacher and basketball coach.

She transformed the programs she touched – leadingher teams to success and shaping students into not only better athletes and scholars, but better people. She often said, “I a winner on the court, in the classroom, and in the game of life,” and she lived those words with grace, discipline, and heart. Her classroom was a space of accountability, growth, and excellence. She inspired generations of students in Wichita and Dallas through her high standards and sincere belief in their potential. She believed that hard work and discipline were keys to success. “My students excel because I push them to do their best,” she once said – a philosophy that left a lasting impression on all who had the privilege to learn from her.

Even during her illness, Terry remained a beacon of strength. The love and devotion from her family and friends brought her comfort. Through their tender car, quiet moments, and tireless support, she was surrounded with peace and joy. Though her voice grew soft in her final days, her expressions of love never faded. She responded with smiles, tears, and gent gestures, of the mouthing the words, “I love you.”

And we love you too, Coach Normore. Thank you for your wisdom, your laughter, your fierce love, and the legacy you leave behind. You have finished the race, and you've done so with grace, courage, and faith. The game may be over, but your victory is eternal.

Terry is the daughter and granddaughter of families who were residents of Clearview, Oklahoma for years before they relocated to Wichita for employment. Her Normore, Horn, and Tillman relatives are buried in the Clearview and Northfork Cemeteries.