Janis Cobb Norris

Janis graduated from George Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1960. As a student, she was a member and president of Pi Gamma Chi Sorority and was listed in the 1960 Publication of “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges”. While student teaching in high school English her Senior year, she met Fletcher Norris. They married later that same year and remained together for the next sixty years.

Janis continued her career as an English teacher in Nashville while also taking time to have two children. After the second child was born, she suspended her teaching career in order to fully enjoy their own children. In 1970, the family moved to Wilmington, N.C. As the children began going to school, Janis returned to education and earned a Master’s Degree in Education from UNCW.

In 1976, Janis was asked to consider a position as Family Coordinator for parents of children with disabilities at Child Development Center, Inc. She accepted the position and thus began her love for children with special needs and their families. Later that same year, she was named Director of Child Development Center, and she remained in that position for the next eighteen years. During that time the Center grew from three small classrooms in a church to six full classrooms in a privately owned facility which Janis designed. Once the Center was securely placed in a safe home, Janis retired in 1994. She remained on the Center’s board of Directors for several years.

Upon retirement from full-time employment, Janis returned to her early love of music. She received her first piano from her father when she was twelve, and she was never again without one. In 1995, Janis went to Nashville to help her aunt. She was left to decide what to do with the aunt’s accordion. Thus began her love for playing the accordion. She and Fletcher spent many years playing together in various musical groups and as a duet.

Janis was active as a volunteer in various community efforts. She was a long-time member of an international organization (PEO) which provides scholarships to young women seeking higher education. She was a member of Wrightsville United Methodist Church and spent many years participating in and as a leader of Stephen Ministry.

Janis was predeceased by her husband, Fletcher R. Norris. Survivors include daughter Kathryn (Katy) Norris McManus (husband Jeff) and son David Cobb Norris (wife Vicki). Grandchildren include Emily McManus Spokas, Christopher Norris McManus, Rachel Norris, Philip Norris, and Ben Steele Norris.

Funeral service will be held at Wrightsville Beach United Methodist Church on Monday August 10 at 10:30 am. Viewing and visitation will be available starting at 9:30am. Burial will immediately follow the service at Oleander Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Janis C. Norris Scholarship in Education fund at UNCW, giving.uncw.edu/norris