Ethel Norris (Lansing)

Life Reflections

Ethel Lee Norris was born September 7, 1941, in Twist, Arkansas to Horace Louis and Theodoria Sturghill-Wilkerson. Ethel Lee was Theodoria Wilkerson and Horace Lewis’ firstborn and the oldest of fourteen children. True to the characteristics of a firstborn child, Ethel Lee was reliable, conscientious, and known for her nurturing spirit. She never shunned or wavered from her leadership role in the family, and she unapologetically demonstrated her love for Christ. Ethel Lee’s reward on earth was God’s abundant favor and blessings of which she never ceased to share with others.

Ethel attended Harrison High School before she met and married AJ Norris. Prior to settling in Lansing, Michigan, the Norris family lived in Blytheville, Arkansas and Galveston, Texas. Ethel Lee was a homemaker until the death of her husband AJ, at which point she obtained a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and entered the workforce as a Bus Driver, BUS #14, to support her family. Also, she provided exemplary service to CACS Head Start for over 30 years.

Ethel confessed her hope in Christ, was baptized, and began working in church at an early age, her lifelong efforts exemplified a servant’s heart. Ethel felt it important to be rightly aligned with God, to live according to His will, and she embraced humility she learned from her faith in God. Her family often quoted her as saying, “If I can help someone along the way then my living is not in vain”.

“Help someone”, is exactly what Ethel did, no matter the circumstances, and she was not judgmental. Ethel loved her siblings and assisted them as they migrated from Arkansas to start new lives in Michigan during the 1970’s. She helped numerous children by serving as a foster parent for 30 years. Ethel Lee was a member of Paradise Missionary Baptist Church for over 50 years where she served as Youth Supervisor, Adult Choir Member, and Church Bus Driver. A well-known fact is that Ethel could find an answer to meet the needs of anyone in her personal basement warehouse. Ethel fed and clothed the needy in her community, mentored young mothers, and also found the time to travel across the U.S. to show her support at weddings, reunions, graduations, and funerals. Ethel was short in stature but the love she displayed for her family, friends, and community was immeasurable.

The love of Ethel was always felt in her home which was filled with the sound of gospel music, laughter, and the aroma of whole foods before whole foods became a trend. She shared her love of food by preparing fresh picked greens, her special iced tea, delicious desserts, and hosting holiday feasts. Ethel greatly loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren unconditionally; she cherished the times she could spend with her family.

Ethel left her earthly home on Sunday, May 3, 2020. She was preceded in death by: husband, AJ Norris; parents, Horace Lewis and Theodoria Sturghill-Wilkerson; grandparents, Essie Mae and Major Howard Sr.; sons, Tommie and James Norris; brothers, Henry Wilkerson and Leroy Donnell Sturghill; and sisters, Denise Toni Wilkerson and Gertrude Smith.

She leaves to cherish her memory: sons, Roy Norris of Tampa, Florida, Bobby Johnson of Lansing and Tracy (Cheryl) Norris of Cincinnati, Ohio; daughters, Cassandria (Derrick) Adams of Lansing, Janice Norris of Lansing, Undreal Norris of Lansing, Vanessa Norris of Lansing, Moneke (Marcus) Wourman of Lansing, Letisha (Alvin) Holloway of Lansing, Roeshell Burke of Lansing, and Shanice Norris-Page of Detroit, Michigan; 21 Grandchildren; 26 Great Grandchildren; siblings, Clarence Frazier of Chicago, Illinois, Anarion Frazier of Lansing, Johnny Wilkerson of Blytheville, Arkansas, James (Debra) Wilkerson of Blytheville, Arkansas, Earl Tyes of Lansing, Bertha Curtis of Benton Harbor, Michigan, Essie (Charles) James of Lansing, Willie Dawson of Lansing, Mary (Simon) Donald of Lansing; a multitude of nieces and nephews; God sons Tyrone George of Jackson, Mississippi and David McAbee of Lansing. Close Friend, Mary Hawkins of Lansing.