Barbara Ruth (Smith) Norris

Funeral services for Barbara Norris, 89, of Nacogdoches will be held at 10:00AM on Saturday June 112, 2021 at Laird Funeral Home with Miles McCall officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00PM to 7:00PM on Friday June 11, 2021 at Laird Funeral Home. 

Barbara was born in Duluth, GA to Tom and Ruth Smith on September 3, 1931. She played basketball and graduated as Valedictorian from Buford High School then attended one year at the University of North GA. She worked as a secretary at Dubose Ford Tractor and then at Floyd Dobbs Metropolitan Insurance for 19+ years. Barbara was a military wife and strong woman of faith (she was an active member at Perritte Memorial United Methodist Church). She loved sports of any kind but was an avid Ladyjack basketball/Lumberjack football fan. Barbara was a supporter of Relay for Life and Simply Pink. She was the greatest seamstress to never get paid (wedding dresses, Sunday best, and doll clothes long before American Girl became a household name). Barbara was a kind-hearted woman, a loving mother and wife who spoiled her grandchildren without complaint. She was sweet with a side of zest. Maker of the most amazing homemade rolls ever. If you left her house hungry, it was your own fault. To say that Barbara inspired and guided countless people is an understatement. She was awarded a lifetime member of the Nacogdoches Medical Center Volunteer Auxiliary and volunteered 13,000 hours in the last 20 years. The dates on a tombstone represent from the beginning to the end. What matters most of all is the dash between those years. And, those who loved Barbara know what that line is worth.

Barbara is proceeded in death by her parents, her husband Al Norris (affectionately known as Papa), and her brother Bill Smith.

Barbara left a village to cherish her memories. John Randolph (son) of Nacogdoches, Susan Wilson (daughter) and husband Wendel of Willis, Wendi Kirkland (granddaughter) and husband Dustin of Willis, Kimberly Authement and husband David of Conroe, Timothy Wilson (grandson) and wife Heather of Conroe, and great grandchildren Tatum and Harper Authement and Gage Wilson.

Pallbearers will be Timothy Wilson, David Authement, Dustin Kirkland, Floyd Dobbs, Mark Dalhoff, Dwight Phillips, and Gage Wilson.

Memorials may be given to Perritte Memorial United Methodist Church and the Nacogdoches Medical Center Volunteer Auxiliary. The family of Barbara Norris wishes to extend our sincere thanks to her loving friends, Dr. Labarbera, Harbor Hospice, and Dr. Miles McCall.

For all of us you gave your best,

Now the time has come for you to rest.

So go in peace, you’ve earned your sleep,

Your love in our hearts, we’ll ETERNALLY KEEP.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7

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