Mary Jean Norris

Mary Jean Knighten Norris, loving Mother and Godly woman passed away (peacefully) at the age of 100 on Monday, July 7, 2025 at The Landings of Mills River.

Mrs. Norris lived most of her life in North Carolina, with many precious and memorable years in South Carolina. She was born in Candler, North Carolina, to the late Luther Dorian Knighten and Margaret Garland Knighten. She married her husband Ray Norris in a double wedding with best friends. Ray preceded her in death in 2003.

Jean, as she was fondly called, was the youngest of seven children who all preceded her in death. She had three brothers, Clarence Knighten, Harold Knighten, Garland Knighten, and a twin brother, Jack Knighten. Her two sisters were Ruth Knighten Fowler and Emily Knighten Sechrist. She is survived by five children: Stephen Norris (Karen) of Greer SC; Kathy Norris Paige-Griffin (Richard) of Jasper, GA; Michael Norris (Leslie) of Franklin, NC; Deborah Norris Huff (Sam) of Campobello, SC; and Renee’ Norris Plott (Mark) of Burlington, NC; nine grandchildren-Stephanie Norris of Greer, SC, Kristie Lobel (Brian) of El Cajon, CA, Stephen Tyson Norris of Chula Vista, CA, Scott Paige (Cheryl) of Dawsonville, GA, Brian Paige (Briana) of Alpharetta, GA, Russell Norris (Stacey) of Charlotte, NC, Graham Norris (Shelley) of Franklin, NC, Rebecca Norris Vaughn (Chris) of Mooresville, NC, and Zack Reed (Christina) of Burlington, NC; fifteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and numerous nieces, nephews and beloved extended family.

Jean was a living example of a Christian woman and as she transitioned locations through her life it was important for her to become active in her church families. She was a member of Candler Baptist Church, Hazelwood First Baptist Church, Hendersonville First Baptist Church, and Greer (SC) First Baptist Church. Jean loved her Sunday School classes and especially the fellowship with the Friendly Neighbors group from Greer First Baptist. In church, Jean was lovingly known as “the Lady with the Hat,” for wearing beautiful hats every Sunday morning she attended. Jean graduated from Brevard College with a Business Degree in 1943 and later became an Executive Secretary at American Enka. She was an active member of the Eastern Star and was a devoted spouse in her husband’s Masonic activities. Her excellent organizational skills through the years proved to be extremely beneficial in keeping up with children and family schedules. No matter what her family was doing, she was always there loving and supporting their activities. Jean loved children and later in her career was given opportunities to share her love and guidance in both the church and elementary school environments. Prior to retirement, Jean conducted in-home daycare for infants to school age children. After her move to South Carolina in 2003, Jean met the fun-loving Red Hat Ladies of Greer SC and soon became an active member with all the Red Hat memorabilia and laughter. Jean’s hobbies included gardening, always with a green thumb and being an accomplished seamstress, with wearing many clothes she made herself. Her ongoing church activities were not actually a hobby but rather her love of God and His love shared via Jean. Her most beloved moment in her later years, outside of immediate and extended families, was her becoming “GrandMa” to a special American Cocker Spaniel, named MyLady. Her love and rapport built with MyLady shared an unconditional love unexplainable but visibly obvious to anyone who saw them together. Such a beautiful site and how precious the greeting will be when they meet again in heaven! Jean’s favorite hymn was and always will be: “His Eye Is On The Sparrow” and how appropriate now, as He is definitely watching over Jean, her heavenly family and MyLady.

A funeral service will be held at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian on Friday, July 11, 2025 at 10:30 am with Pastor Robert Fain officiating.

The family will receive friends prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:30 am at the funeral home. A private burial with the family will take place at Pisgah View Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Masonic Home for Children, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565 or to the Shriners Hospital of Greenville, SC, 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605.

Groce Funeral Home’s Lake Julian team is assisting the family