Ray Norris

Ray Norris, 78, of 312 Woodland Trail, Hendersonville, died Thursday, June 5, 2003, at the VA Medical Center. A native of Buncombe County, he was the oldest son of the late Isaac and Lois Henson Norris. Following graduation from Candler High School he joined the Army and served in WWII. Returning from service, he began his career in Traffic and Transportation with American Enka. He was recalled to active duty in 1951 and served during the Korean Conflict. He worked for 13 years at Dayco in Waynesville and retired after 20 years as Traffic Manager at General Electric in Hendersonville. He was past president of the Southern Traffic League and North Carolina Traffic League, past Master of the Waynesville Masonic Lodge, past Grand Master of the Masons in North Carolina, a member of the Scottish Rite, York Rite and Past President of the Hendersonville Shrine Club. He also was a member and Deacon of First Baptist Church, Hendersonville. Mr. Norris is survived by his wife, Mary Jean Knighten Norris; three daughters, Kathy Paige and her husband Ken of Snellville, GA, Debbie Norris of Greer, SC and Renee Plott and her husband Mark of Burlington, NC; two sons, Mike Norris and his wife Leslie of Franklin and Steve Norris and his wife Karen of Santee, CA; three sisters, Eva Dean Burris of Arden, Louise Yarborough and Loretta Breier, both of Hendersonville; nine grandchildren, Stephanie Orosco, Kristie Lobel, Stephen T. Norris, Scott Paige, Brian Paige, Russell Norris, Graham Norris, Rebecca Norris and Zack Reed; six great-grandchildren, Ashley Orosco, Alec Orosco, Amber Orosco, Cody Lobel, Courtney Lobel and Hannah Paige. Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Saturday at First Baptist Church of Hendersonville with the Rev. Dr. Ian Walker and Revs. Wally Shamburger and Skip Fendley officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Asheville High School Marine JROTC Unit at Pisgah View Memorial Park, Candler. The Masonic Ceremony will be provided by the Waynesville Lodge with members of the Hendersonville Shrine Club and family serving as pallbearers. The Waynesville Lodge will open at 11 am. His family will receive friends from 6:30-8:00 pm Friday at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Masonic and Eastern Star Home, 700 South Holden Road, Greensboro, NC 27407; Masonic Home for Children, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565 or Lewis Rathbun Wellness Center, 121 Sherwood Road, Asheville, NC 28803.