Evelyn Ann "Lolly" White Norris

Evelyn Ann (Lolly) White Norris passed away peacefully on March 12,2024 in Raleigh, NC. Born to the late Laura Lee Twitty White and Hayes MacMurry White on May 6,1925, she grew up in Petersburg, VA. and Raleigh, NC. Lolly was a graduate of Saint Mary’s School and Randolph Macon Woman’s College where she was a member of Kappa Delta. In 1947, she was married to Thomas Atticus Norris, Jr.

Lolly lived life with boundless energy, a spirit for adventure and love of travel that took her to many corners of the globe, including serving in the State Department in Romania. Several years during summer vacations, she loaded the children in the station wagon and drove to Canada and Mexico.

Lolly embraced learning through experiences, reading and study her entire life. She possessed the gift of hospitality and enjoyed hosting in her home with new and old friends alike. She was a lover of the arts and nature and had great creative abilities. As a volunteer, she was dedicated to the community through church, her children’s schools and activities. and gave generously of her time and talents to many organizations including the Jr. League of Raleigh, NC Symphony, Hilltop Home, and NCMA. After serving in Romania, Lolly lived in Charlottesville, Va. where she thoroughly enjoyed her role as a docent at Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson.

Lolly was predeceased by her parents, her brothers H. Mac White, Jr. and Beaman T. White, her husband, Tom and her beloved companion, Walter Holt.

She is survived by her four children: Tom Norris III (Amy) of Fairhope, AL, Laura Raynor (Hurley), Lee Norris (Gerda) and Ann O’Neal (John) all of Raleigh. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Heather N. Middleton (Joe) of Fairhope, AL, Tom Norris IV (Bradley) of Birmingham, AL, Allison N. Ashurst (Morgan) of Fairhope, AL, Hurley Raynor, Jr. of Bath, NC, Laura N. Martinez (Matt) of Jeffersonton, VA., Sulli Norris-Cole (Kyle) of Seattle, WA, Hayes Norris of Denver, CO, Johnny O’Neal of Hendersonville, NC and Katie O’Neal of Raleigh and 9 great grandchildren.

A service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held at White Memorial Presbyterian Church on Monday, March 18 at 2:00 followed by a reception at the church.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to White Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1704 Oberlin Road, Raleigh, NC 27608..

The family would like to thank Tara Lowman and the loving and remarkable team of caregivers at The Retreat at Cary Corner for their dedicated caring and professionalism over the last year.

Service arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's St. Raleigh, NC.