Vernon Edward Norris

Vernon was born in Johnston County, North Carolina on November 9,1935 to the late Clarence Edward Norris and the late Clyda Moore. He graduated from Four Oaks High School in 1954, and worked in several departments, including as Supervisor, at Westinghouse Electric Corporation until his retirement.

Vernon was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and an active member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church (formerly North Clayton Christian Church). He dearly loved Teen Valley Ranch, a Christian Youth Camp in Plumtree, North Carolina, and gave much of his time and resources to helping build and support that impactful ministry.

In earlier years, Vernon enjoyed many trips with friends on his Harley Davidson motorcycle to places as far away as upstate New York and Alaska. He had a lifelong passion for gardening – spending most of his days planting, tending, and harvesting. Second to his love of making things grow was the absolute joy he got from sharing his bounty with everyone he met. He was a member of the Classic Antique Power Club, a non-profit organization based around preserving our agricultural history through antique farm equipment. His favorite tractor was John Deere, but he enjoyed restoring and repairing all types of tractors.

Vernon will always be remembered for his kindness, humility, faithfulness and generosity, but most of all for his unwavering integrity. May his memory be a blessing and the life he lived an inspiration to us all.

Vernon was married to his beloved sweetheart, Audrey Bledsoe Norris, for 53 years, who went to be with the Lord on November 16, 2021.

He is survived by daughters, Katherine Norris of Greenville, NC and Debbie Norris-Oberto (John Oberto) of Moorpark, CA; step-daughters, Debbie Ragland (Ronald Crowder) of Clayton and Kim Ragland of Smithfield; grandsons Trey Bunnell (Ashley) of Leland, Evan Bunnell (Veronica) of Warner Robbins, GA and Jack Henry Oberto, currently residing in Tokyo, Japan; granddaughters Kalyn Klausteremier of Largo, FL and Madeline Fanton (Nicholas) of Santa Barbara, CA; great-grandchildren Brianna and Roxanna (Trey Bunnell); Hailey, Dakota, Lily, Joslyn, (Evan Bunnell); Cody, Eli (Kalyn Klausteremier); Susanna (Madeline Fanton); 2 step-grandchildren, Deena Henry and Chad Hogg of Smithfield; 1 step-greatgrandchild Kristian Langston (Joseph) of Smithfield; sisters Merle Whitley of Smithfield, Jean Thompson of Dalzell, SC, and Faye Barefoot (Joe) of Raleigh.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Vernon was preceded in death by his brothers Luther, Lonnie, Melvin, and Ray; sisters Pearl, Dorothy, and Linda; and stepson, Mike Ragland.

The family will receive friends on Friday, November 22, 2024 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at McLaurin Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at Maplewood Cemetery on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 10:30 am.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 5217 Barber Mill Road, Clayton, NC 27520; or Teen Valley Ranch, PO Box 10, Plumtree, NC 28664.

Online condolences may be made to the family at: www.mclaurinatpinecrest.com.

The family would like to sincerely thank the staffs at Clayton UNC Hospital PICU and SECU Hospice House for their kind and compassionate care.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Psalms 116:15