Bobby Lee Norris: Chadbourn
1936 – 2026
Bobby Lee Norris of Chadbourn passed away at the Lower Cape Fear Life Care Angel House of Whiteville, NC, after an extended stay at Shoreland Rehabilitation. He was 89.
He was born in May 13, 1936 in the Emerson Community, the first child of Ezra (Ted) Norris and Rachel Mattie Graves Norris.
He attended Tabor City schools, graduating in May 1954 from Tabor City High School. Bobby met the love of his life, Marvelann Williams on April 29, 1954 at her 19th birthday party. They married on March 6, 1956 and were married 54 years until her death on August 14, 2010. He became a member of Whiteville Church of Christ and was baptized in 1955, where he was still a member. Bobby was drafted into the United States Army August 5, 1959 and served in Korea 1960-1961. He was released from active duty and joined the Army Reserves in June 1961. After serving 25 years, he was honorably discharged in 1985.
After working for other companies, Bobby decided to go into business for himself and opened City Tire Service in Tabor City in September 1985 and closed Dec. 31, 2011. He then began work for Columbus County Solid Waste in January 2018. After six years of service, he retired in 2024.
In addition to his parents, Bobby was predeceased by his wife, Marvelann Williams Norris; a son, Lester Carroll Norris; a daughter in-law, Barbara Williamson Norris; one , Bernard Norris; and a sister, and Clara Pearl Norris Hinson.
Bobby is survived by one son, Bobby Glenn Norris (Betty) of Tabor City; grandson Hunter Carroll Norris (Tess) of Chadbourn; granddaughters Hannah Marie Norris Dyson of Chadbourn, Kimberly Hope Norris and Andrea Lynn Norris of Lumberton; great grandson, Brycen Hemingway of Lumberton; great granddaughter, Carter Ann Norris of Chadbourn; three brothers, Ezra Chester Norris of Kernersville, NC, Alvie LaRue Norris and Ronnie Ray Norris of Whiteville; six sisters, Nancy Carol Day and Cleo Skipper of Whiteville, Cloteal Obermeyer of Apache-Junction, Arizona, Rachael Ann Buffkin of Green Sea, Sara Gray Benton of Hallsboro, Eunice Harrelson-Williams of Tabor City; and several nieces and nephews.
Family would like to thank the great staff at Shoreland Nursing Home for their wonderful and loving care of Bobby.
Funeral services were planned for 3 p.m. Saturday, March 28, in the Inman Ward Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Phillip Norwood officiating, burial following in Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Visitation was planned for the hour preceding services in the chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Whiteville Church of Christ Building Fund, P.O. Box 126, Whiteville, NC 28472.
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