Larita Jean Norris

Larita “Rita” Jean Norris entered heaven early in the morning of October 26, 2015. Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 28, 6-7 p.m. at Noland Road Chapel, 509 S. Noland Road, Independence, Missouri 64050. Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 29, at Noland Road Chapel, immediately followed by Committal Service at adjacent Woodlawn Cemetery. Rita was born November 15, 1930 to Virgil C. and Marguerite “Marjorie” (Edridge) Julian. She was educated through the Independence School District. She married the love of her life, Willis “Harold” Norris, on March 6, 1950, and they shared 54 years of marriage before Harold’s passing in 2004. Rita was employed as a supervisor at Lake City Army Ammunitions Plant before retiring in 1987. Rita’s life was driven by love. She enjoyed showing her love of family by cooking delicious meals. She loved sharing nature’s beauty with neighbors as was clearly demonstrated by her manicured yard with many flowers. She enjoyed line dancing at the Palmer Center. Rita focused on the positive aspects of life and delighted in serving others. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Willis “Harold” Norris; daughter Glena Gale Anger; brothers Virgil, Bill and Sam Julian; sisters Louise Burcham, Mary Ford, Virginia Parker, Frances Hieronymous and Marjorie “Sue” Watson. She is survived by her sisters Linda Kay Harvey and Judy (Jerry) Theilen; daughters Linda Ryan and Brenda (Alan) Ayers. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Ken Curnett, Ron Curnett, Shawn Burns, Greg Burns, Joshua Gouldsmith, Amy Savvenas, Eric Ayers and Jana Ayers; 15 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. Rita is loved by all who met her and will be dearly missed. The family suggests donations to Crossroads Hospice.