Rev. Tommy C. Norton

He attended Lord’s Tabernacle Church. Tommy gave his heart to the Lord and accepted the call to preach at age 17. He preached revivals throughout East Tennessee, North Carolina, and Ohio, many times lasting 2-3 weeks at a time. He, Rev. Elmer Casteel and Rev. Cicero Cutshall preached in the 1950-60’s tent revivals where many people were saved. He pastored People’s Tabernacle Church, The House of the Lord Church and at other local churches. When asked his favorite scripture, his answer was John 3:16, the most significant verse in the Bible to him.

He was only able to attend school for three years as a child but went to adult education taught by Lorraine Livingston. He wanted children to have the opportunity for education that he never had. He drove a school bus for 47 years with the majority of those at Debusk Elementary School. He loved children and was concerned that they pay attention in school and learn. He told ball players on the way to the game to go in there and play like they had come to win.

He was also a champion bird dog trainer.

He is survived by his two daughters and their husbands: Lawanda and Bobby Darnell and Tamara and Edward Gillenardo; two grandsons: Nathan Darnell and Kevin Darnell; two granddaughters: Deserae Bailey and Shelley Lusk; three great grandchildren: Ava Bailey, Brielle Bailey and Jacob Lusk; the mother of his children: Lavada Bolton; sister: Nannie Schwickerath; and several nieces and nephews, including two special nieces: Geneva Archer (and her children) and Vanessa Gallihar.

He was the son of the late Robert Norton and Essie Norton Griffin and was preceded in death by five brothers: James Norton, Henry Norton, Major Norton, Howard Griffin and Harold Griffin; and four sisters: Bonnie Mae Ricker, Anna Correll, Lillian Shipley and Thelma Rice.

Graveside services will be conducted at 4:00 pm Friday at River Hill Cemetery with interment to follow. The Rev. Buster Shelton and the Rev. Gene Stills will officiate.

Pallbearers will be Jackie McCrary, Cecil Malone, Lynn Mercer, Danny Garber, Frankie Seaton, Ben Seaton, Terry Ricker, Heath Ricker and Cole Ricker.

Honorary pallbearers are Cecil Malone, Faye Lynn Ricker, all his friends and employees at Hardees on the Asheville Hwy “Thank you for the Tommy Burger” and Debusk Elementary School faculty and staff. Special thanks to Kemi Davis and Cora Jerles who gave compassionate care and also to the West Wing employees of Laughlin Health Care.

Family and friends may call at their convenience Thursday between the hours of 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm at Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until noon Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Debusk Elementary School for playground equipment.