Ralph Laverne Norris

Ralph Laverne Norris 93, of Southside passed away June 6, 2020. Funeral Service will be at 12p.m. Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at Morgan Funeral Chapel with Bro. Whitt Hibbs officiating. Visitation will be prior to the service from 11 until 12p.m. Burial will be at Rainbow Memorial Gardens.

Ralph was born December 5, 1926 in Blount County, the youngest of 8 children. He entered the Army of age 18. He was a World War II Veteran and served in Korea and Okinawa, where he received several ribbons. He talked about sleeping on the frozen ground in Korea. Ralph said they saw Japanese soldiers in a chicken house and ran them off so they could sleep in a warmer place.

Ralph loved to fish, he was a “Crappie King”. He worked at Republic Steel for 44 years as a heavy machine operator. He was a longtime member and a deacon of Ivalee Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years whom he helped take care of for the last 4 years of her life, Velma Rich Norris; parents, Robert and Annie (Compton) Norris; grandson, Jody Norris; mother and father in law, Bessie and Wiley Rich; 5 brothers, and 2 sisters.

He is survived by his children, Ron (Linda) Norris, Karen (Ronnie) Pike, Bobby (Jo) Noris; grandchildren, Renee’ (Mo) Hull, Ronnie (Cathy) Norris, Tim Cox, Chris (Cheryl) Cox, Kim (Craig) Morgan, Brandy (Scottie) Norris, Steven (Donna) Pike, Sharon (Don) Owen, Suzanne Pike; 27 great grandchildren, 15 great-great grandchildren, and 3 sister in laws, Myrtle Wolfe, Sue Rich, and Julie McCormick.

Pallbearers will be Tim Cox, Chris Cox, Ronnie Norris, Mo Hull, Tristan Kelley, Shane McCormick, Wesley Norris.

Honorary pallbearers will be Craig Morgan, Scottie Hill.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Ivalee Baptist Church- Youth Department.

The family wishes to extend their heart filled thanks to the following individuals; Comfort Care Hospice and to the staff of Magnolia Gardens, where dad lived the last year. Thank you to the neighbors of North Gadsden where Dad lived, for watching out after him after mom died. Special thanks to Sue King.