She was born to Leroy and Elizabeth Jones on April 15, 1950 in Dallas, Texas. She graduated from Kimball High School in Dallas, TX; earned a B.Ed. from Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, TX; and earned a M.Ed. from Texas A&M University-Commerce where she met her husband, Terry Norris, 53 years ago.
She was an elementary school teacher in Dallas, Texas and in Columbus, Georgia where she retired from the Muscogee County School District in 1995. She truly loved children and teaching them. As the years passed and those students became adults, they would greet her whenever they saw her and give her a hug and say how much she meant to them. She was always active in helping and encouraging others regardless of their age or circumstances throughout her life.
This compassionate caring for others reflected her love of God and her commitment to following His word. That caring was demonstrated regularly by her passing out lunches to the needy, calling shut-ins, writing notes of encouragement to the disheartened, and being a prayer warrior for many with various needs. Concern for others always came before concern for herself. She served in many roles in the Presbyterian church and was a founding member of the Grace Presbyterian Church, ECO of Columbus, Georgia.
Rebecca is survived by her mother, Elizabeth Jones Worley; her brother, Keith Jones; her husband, Terry Norris; her son, Eric Norris and his wife Laura along with their five sons; by her daughter Andrea Norris Purdie and her husband Shawn along with their two sons and one daughter; as well as, an extended family stretched across four states and Canada. Rebecca dearly loved God and her family, but like so many loving grandmothers her eight grandchildren could always count on having her full attention whenever any of them were with her. Each of them adored their Gigi just as she adored them.
A celebration of life service is scheduled for December 21, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church, ECO in Columbus, Georgia.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances and memorials should be given in Rebecca Norris’ name to: Columbus Hospice of Georgia and Alabama, 7020 Moon Rd., Columbus, Georgia 31909. Columbus Hospice is a nonprofit health care organization which was a God sent blessing during the last months of Rebecca’s life which she was able to spend in the comfort of her home with her husband and frequent weekend visits with her family.
