NORTH CHAPEL

Orvel Eugene Norris and Glenda Louise Beard Norris

Mr. Orvel Eugene “Gene” Norris, age 85, of Rome died Thursday, May 3, 2018, in his home surrounded by his family. He was joined in Heaven by his wife & love of his life, Glenda Louise Beard Norris, age 82, also of Rome, on May 9, 2018 when she passed away in a local hospital.

Mr. Norris was born in Winston County, Alabama on August 9, 1932, son of the late Howard Norris & the late Essie Backus Norris. He was a graduate of McHenry High School. Following high school, Mr. Norris proudly served his country in the United States Navy as a signalman aboard the USS Hugh Purvis 709. Mr. Norris attended Carroll Lynn Business School & worked tirelessly for his family, retiring from Georgia Kraft (Inland) in 1994.

Mrs. Norris was born in Rome, Georgia on February 11, 1936, daughter of the late Felt Beard & the late Battie Maner Beard. She attended Armuchee High School. Mrs. Norris was a proud homemaker for many years.

Besides her parents, Mrs. Norris was preceded in death by her three brothers, Joel Beard, Jerry Beard, & Michael Beard.

Mr. & Mrs. Norris are survived by their children, Marsha Wilson (Mike), John Norris (LiVawne), Cathy Cauthen (Stan), Toni Norris Greer (Terry), & special “bonus daughter” Sherry Smith (Dwight). They were the proud grandparents of Jerry Russell, Wes Brooks, Bridget Moore Gray (Jarrett), Chad Moore (Ashley), Benji Brooks, Candice Brooks Beaver (Christian), David Mountain, & Claire Mountain, along with seven stepgrandchildren, nine greatgrandchildren, & numerous step great-grandchildren, nieces, & nephews. Mr. & Mrs. Norris also are survived by long-time close friends Anne Davis of Chattanooga, & Georgie Kight, Bill Christie, & Irene Hamilton, all of Rome. Mr. Norris is also survived by his brother, John T. Norris Sr. of Albany, & Marie Norris Swafford of Lindale. Mrs. Norris is survived by her sister, Gail Beard Holden of Rome.

The Norrises were pillars of the Glenwood/Armuchee Community. They were longtime members of Pleasant Valley North Baptist Church, where Mrs. Norris served on numerous committees and was the teacher of the Joy Sunday School class for many years.

Mr. & Mrs. Norris were married on March 26, 1954. During their 64-years of marriage, they loved nothing more than spending time with their family and friends. They were loving, devoted parents, grandparents, & great-grandparents, never missing a sporting event, dance recital, or graduation. They were affectionately known as “Pop & Nana” by family & friends alike.

Throughout the years, they enjoyed many hobbies together such as bowling, riding motorcycles, square dancing with the Western Promenaders, listening to Southern Gospel music, numerous vacations, playing horse shoes, and going camping. Later in life, most Friday nights were spent playing cards with family & they became known for their large Christmas light display which could be seen blocks away from their home.

The Norrises loved their friends as strongly as their family & maintained many decades-long friendships. Many times, their friends became their family. Throughout the years, they were often found welcoming people into their home for numerous events. Summertime was always filled with multitudes of laughing voices coming from their pool area. If you were welcomed as a guest there, you always left feeling like family.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 11, 2018, at 3 p.m. in the Chapel at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel, with the Rev. Horace Stewart & the Rev. Clyde Hampton officiating. Eulogies will be given by family & close friends. Interment will follow in Oaknoll Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Mac McCurry officiating and the American Legion Post #5 Honor Guard presenting military honors.

The family will receive friends at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel, on Thursday from 5 until 8 p.m. At other hours, they will be at the residence

Pallbearers are requested to assemble at the funeral home on Friday at 3 pm and include: Wes Brooks, Benji Brooks, Chad Moore, Jerry Russell, Jarrett Gray, & David Mountain.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heyman Hospicecare at Floyd, P.O. Box 162, Rome, GA 30162 in memory of Mr. & Mrs. Gene Norris.

Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel, has charge of the funeral arrangements.