Linda Ballard Norris

Linda Ballard Norris, 79, went home to her Lord on December 20, 2024. She was born in Asheville, NC to Clarence William Ballard, Sr. and Jean Kirk Ballard on December 17, 1945. She was married to Robert Whittington Norris, Sr. for over 57 years.

Linda graduated from Lee Edwards High School in Asheville and went on to study Library Science at Appalachian State University, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in 1968. While at Appalachian State, she met her future husband on a blind date arranged through her roommate. They were married on July 1, 1967. After graduation, Linda worked as a librarian at the central cataloging agency for the NC Community College system in Raleigh, and later for the Department of Water and Air Resources.

After raising two children to school age, she worked in the York Elementary school library. Her career next took her to Grace Christian School as the librarian. She finished her working career in customer service at a Hallmark Gold Crown store: where she was sure to get the latest Christmas ornaments for her collection.

Outside of work, she was active in the ministries of Forest Hills Baptist Church. Some of her favorite related activities were WMU, her Sunday school class, Breaking Bread (small group meals), and working in the church library.

Linda bowled on an IBM spouse’s league for many years, was a Girl Scout leader, and enjoyed family camping. As a breast cancer survivor she participated in several Komen Foundation events. She also enjoyed going to baseball games with the family and watching Major League games on TV. Since her daughter, Jenny, played soccer for many years, she enjoyed watching professional soccer matches; particularly the women’s National and World Cup teams.

She is preceded in death by an infant daughter, her parents, and her brother Carroll Ballard.

She is survived by her husband, older brother Clarence Ballard, Jr., son Robert (Whitt) Norris, Jr., daughter Jenny McCraw (Neill), grandchildren Hannah Rhylee McCraw and Samuel Isaac McCraw, as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Forest Hills Baptist Church; the Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation; or the Wake County SPCA.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 1:15pm at Forest Hills Baptist Church, 201 Dixie Trail, Raleigh, NC 27607. Burial will follow in Raleigh Memorial Park. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 11:45am.

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