Opal Louise Norris

Mrs. Opal Louise Palmer Norris greeted her heavenly Father at 12:02 a.m. on May 19, 2015, after several weeks of illness. She was 92 years, 6 months, and 29 days old. Like Paul, she could say, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." Mrs. Norris was born on October 20, 1922, to the union of William Hezzie Palmer and Rosa Lee Adcox Palmer in Vivian, Louisiana, in Caddo Parish. She said she survived typhoid as a child due to the meticulous care of both of her parents. She was the baby of seven children and had nieces and nephews older than she when she was born. She met, fell in love, and married Calvin Hillis Norris on May 11, 1940. They traveled around the country as his work took him to various places. To this union was born a daughter, Nelda Jean, and a son, Ronald Wayne Norris. The whole family continued to travel as Calvin's work moved him from one location to another. In the late 1950s, the Norris family moved to Moss Bluff, Louisiana, where they bought a home next door to Hazel Fruge Richie and her son, Delano Richie. The two ladies formed a close friendship that lasted until Hazel moved to Texas in the 1990s to be closer to her son. Mrs. Norris missed her dear friend and told others she cried and cried. (They affectionately called each other, "Mert.") In October of 1960, Mrs. Norris began her walk with Jesus Christ at the Moss Bluff United Pentecostal Church, where Rev. A. A. Haymon, Sr. was pastor. She said that she had a severe illness, but upon the night she received the gift of the Holy Ghost in her life, she was healed and never had that problem again. As a faithful member, she worked in all aspects of church life: Sunday school, ladies' ministry, Bible school, prayer meeting, and fund raising (including donut making). She shared the job of frying the donuts with Alberta Hook. The pastor's wife affectionately called her "Little Bit" because she was small in stature. She may have been small, but she still had a lot of spunk and spirit. Until about 2013, she was regular in attendance in church, enjoying the singing and worship services. At that time, she began to slow her pace because of illness. Mrs. Norris loved her family and her home. She loved to cook and often cooked their favorite dishes, like chicken and dumplings. Even as late as 2014, she was still cooking for them on special occasions. Her children and grandchildren were very special to her. Her son was a faithful son, and the sound of his voice lightened her load. He cooked for her often, making sure she had foods she loved. Her son-in-law took care of her as if she were his own mother. In her final days, her family surrounded her with their presence and their love. Brent, a grandson, was in from out of state and tried so hard to nurture her to wellness. Other grandchildren, Tim, Terri, and Teresa were there with their mother, Nelda, holding their grandmother's hand, sitting on her bed, doing whatever was needed to comfort her. Some of her hobbies were sewing, quilting, crocheting, and fishing from the bank. She loved doing Word Find Puzzles which may be the reason she was still so sharp. Even as recently as 6 - 8 weeks ago, she was correcting Ronnie's spelling. One picture, the family has, pictures her holding a gun. Her son told her to hold it and give her fiercest look. She said, "This is as fierce as I can look." (Of course, it was not very fierce.) Also, she loved to have visitors. Some of her faithful visitors were Shirley Smith, Jane Smith, and Mary Ann Long. These visitors brought food, friendship, fellowship, and love. She knew she could depend on them if she needed anything. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, her brothers, her sisters, and many nieces and nephews. She is survived by her son Ronnie Norris of Ragley, Louisiana, and his children, Brent Norris of Colorado and Kim Norris of Texas; her daughter, Nelda Jackson and son-in-law, Billy, of Sulphur, Louisiana, and their children, Tim Jackson, Terri Sarvaunt, and Theresa Turner, all of Sulphur; and eleven great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild. The family would like to thank Shirley Smith for her unselfish help during the last week of Ms. Opal's life, to Jessica Smith Reeves for spending nights and days with her, to Jane Smith and "Pops" for taking care of her in their home during an illness a couple of years ago. Thanks to neighbors and friends who cooked for the family during this last, long vigil. Also, thanks to Pastor Jared Pugh for his pastoral care during this last time of illness and to her former pastor, Rev. Tim Mahoney, for singing to her and praying with her just hours before she went home. Visitation will be held from 4 - 8 p.m. Thursday, May 21, 2015 at Johnson Funeral Home and from 9 - 11 a.m. on Friday, May 22, 2015, at Moss Bluff United Pentecostal Church. Revs. Jared Pugh and Tim Mahoney will officiate. The service begins at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Old Ritchie Cemetery in Moss Bluff, Louisiana.