MINT HILL- Edna Mae Norris Pait was the first child born to Ray Herbert Norris and Chellie Nobles Norris on July 17, 1934. Edna was fiercely independent and did life her way. She lived to be 88 years old and on her birthday, July 17, 2022, transitioned to glory to be reunited with loved ones there.
Edna was raised in Tabor City, NC, and following high school graduation in 1952, she left home to attend business school in Charlotte, NC. Her first professional job was with Bell South as a telephone operator. Edna stayed with Bell South through its transition to AT&T until her retirement from the company in the early 2000s. Not one to understand the concept of retirement, Edna also worked with Sears and K Hovnanian Builders as a saleswoman for years during and beyond her tenure with AT&T.
Edna had a deep love for her church and her family. She was a long-term member of Mt Harmony Baptist Church in Matthews, NC. While at Mt. Harmony, she made many close friends with whom she enjoyed taking trips and doing community volunteer work. She was an active supporter of many local charities and had a soft spot for children’s charities- such as the church’s backpack ministry.
Edna was raised in a large family and is survived by two sisters, Marsha (Roy) Nealey and Veronica Culler. She is survived by three brothers, Waylon (Rozella) Norris, Eston (JoLynn) Norris and Rick Norris. She is survived by one sister-in-law, Paula Norris Morgan, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Chellie Norris; sisters, Patricia (Jerry) Lambeth and Shelvia (Kenny) Fansler; brothers, Jim Norris and Phillip Norris; sister-in-law, Teresa Norris; and husband, Alvin Pait.
Her celebration of life service will be held in the Chapel of Sechrest-Davis Funerals and Cremations, 18 Randolph St., Thomasville, NC, on Saturday, July 23, 2022, at 2:00 PM. Burial will follow at Holly Hill Memorial Park.
The family will greet friends prior to the service from 1:00-1:45 PM at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mt. Harmony Baptist Church- backpack ministry (2817 Mt. Harmony Church Rd., Matthews, NC 29105).
The family would like to thank the caring and dedicated staff of Cadence Assisted Living of Mint Hill for the love and support they provided Edna during her final years.
The family is under the care of Sechrest-Davis Funerals and Cremations of Thomasville. Online condolences: www.secrestdavisthomasville.com- select obituaries.
