Joan Norfleet

Joan Bell Norfleet, 57, of Chester, Va., died January 16, 2006. She is survived by her husband, P. Michael Spraker, who was blessed and honored to have her as his wife and best friend; two children, Sarah Winston Norfleet and William Bell Norfleet, both of Richmond; and three step-children, Stephen Patrick Spraker and Mary Kathleen (Molly) Spraker, of Moseley, and Anne West Spraker, of Richmond. She is also survived by two sisters, Margaret Bell Gracey and husband, Brian, of Knoxville, Tenn., and Patricia Bell Miller and husband, Paul, of Richmond; nieces and nephews; her mother- and father-in-law, Geraldine and Paul S. Spraker, of Richmond; and sister-in-law, Bridget Westmoreland and husband, Michael, of Richmond. She was preceded in death by her parents, William Ford Bell and Ruth Pleasants Bell, and by her first husband, Marmaduke William Norfleet. A Richmond native, Ms. Norfleet graduated from John Marshall High School, Richmond, and from Agnes Scott College, Decatur, Ga. She had a 30-year career in public social services. She worked for both the Bedford County and Staunton-Augusta County Departments of Social Services before moving, in 1984, to Chesterfield County, where she became Supervisor of the Child Protective Services unit of the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services. Ms. Norfleet was a tireless advocate for children and families affected by sexual and physical abuse and a key figure in the success of the multi-
disciplinary team approach to the investigation and prosecution of offenders and treatment of victims. In addition, she served as a mentor to dozens of young social workers. Ms. Norfleet was a sponsor for the self-help group Parents? Anonymous and a professional resource for Theatre IV in the development of ?Hugs and Kisses,? a musical dealing with child sexual abuse. She also organized and sponsored Risking, a support group for parents and caretakers of sexually abused children. She was a member of Chester Presbyterian Church, where she served as an Elder. Ms. Norfleet was an inspiration to many during her long struggle with breast cancer. A memorial service for Ms. Norfleet will be held at Chester Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, January 18, at three o?clock in the afternoon. The family will receive friends at the church following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Camp Hanover (Norfleet Pavilion), 3163 Parsleys Mill Rd., Mechanicsville, VA 23111. Arrangements are being conducted by the J. T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Chesterfield, where condolences may be registered online at www.jtmorriss.com