Norcell D. Haywood

Norcell D. Haywood’s life journey began on January 23, 1935 in Bastrop, Texas, where he was born to the late Roy Haywood, Sr. and Amanda Green Haywood, and ended on June 15, 2015, in San Antonio. He professed his faith at an early age and was a member of Second Baptist Church in San Antonio.

Norcell was one of the first four African-American students to be admitted to the University of Texas, and was the second African American to graduate from the UT School of Architecture in 1960. After graduation, he taught at Prairie View A&M University’s School of Engineering, followed by employment at the City of Austin Planning Department. In 1968, Norcell became the first licensed African-American Architect in San Antonio. He founded Norcell D. Haywood & Associates in 1965. In 1971, Haywood Jordan McCowan SAT Inc (HJM) was founded, with offices in San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas. 
HJM was the recipient of the numerous awards, including the prestigious Merit Design and Honor Awards. Major projects included the University of Texas–Dallas Student Union Center; various churches, including Second Baptist Church, in San Antonio. Also notable was the Texas Southern University Physical Education Building, and Business Technology Building in Houston; Lincoln Magnet High School in Dallas; the Alamodome Stadium, and completion of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. Norcell’s profes¬sional memberships included the American Institute of Architects. He was also a lifetime member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. As the first African-American to be appointed to the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners, he served as Vice-Chairman of the Board. He was also a delegate to the White House Sub-Committee on Small Business in 1995. 

“I am not a civil rights person, I am an architect who is civil-minded,” Norcell once stated. He believed that architecture could have a healing effect on the community. Passionate about early childhood development, Norcell actively supported the YMCA, Boys’ and Girls’ Club of San Antonio, was an NAACP life member, and was cited with awards for his humanitarian and civic duties.

Norcell was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Ethel Haywood; aunt, Bertha Hatch; two sisters, Vallie Mae Haywood, Lalavane Haywood Johnson; and three brothers, Roy Haywood Jr. (Bo), Turner George Haywood (Dooney), and Marshall Lee Haywood (Big Boy); sister, Bertha Mae Clark; and niece, Mary Ann Young. Loving memories will be forever cherished by his sons, Michael Obershan and David Norcell Haywood; his daughters, Natalie Dawn Haywood and Nan Deliah Haywood; his grandchildren, Erica Haywood, Terrence Littlefield II, Marcus Obershan, Elizabeth Littlefield and Maya Haywood; his great grandchildren, Marckus Haywood and Maliyah Blackmon; aunt, Lula Mae Haywood; sister, Annie Middleton (Poncho); sister-in-law, Henrietta Haywood Vinsen, and family. Norcell will be truly missed by his family, friends and many people whose lives he touched.