Elizabeth Norris, age 89, of Wilmington, NC, took hold of her eternal life on Thursday, September 7, 2017, at Lower Cape Fear Hospice Center. She was born on March 20, 1928 in Manteo, NC to the late Luther Thomas Sr. and Annie Belle Rivenbark Strickland and will forever be known to her closest family as their "spring chicken".

Mrs. Norris is survived by her husband of 70 years, Carlyle Timothy Norris of Wilmington, NC. Also surviving are her children Tim Norris and wife Sherry, Sandra Carvel, and Kenneth Norris; brothers Walter Strickland and wife Marylee and Ray Strickland, as well as sisters Shirley Lowrey and Linda Nelson; 7 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews whom she loved.

Preceding her in death were her infant daughter, twin of Sandra; brothers William Strickland, Luther Strickland, Jr., and Robert Strickland; sisters Catherine Matthews, Louise Teachey, and Dorothy Strickland, and her beloved dog, Pebbles.

Elizabeth was a member of the Church of God. She worked for Kings Department Store until their closing at which time she opened her own business, Colonial Interiors, where she put her fingers to work creating her "country ruffle masterpieces", such as curtains, bedspreads, and quilts. Her husband made and she painted yard displays out of wood for all occasions. She loved having the yard decorated to the fullest for each holiday. Although she was a "tough cookie" and a "spit fire", as the doctors called her, she was always concerned about others and never failed to say, "thank you" for anything that anyone did for her. Due to various health challenges, the last years were spent enjoying time with her family.

In honor of their grandmother, pallbearers will be granddaughters Christel Williams and husband Jeff, Kelly Cook and husband Brandon, Tammy Fowler and husband Joey.
A visitation will be held 3:00 PM Sunday, September 10, 2017 at Quinn McGowen Funeral Home on Willow Woods Dr. in Wilmington, NC. A funeral service will follow at 4:00 PM with son, Tim Norris, officiating. Entombment will be held 6:00 PM Sunday, September 10, 2017 at Riverview Cemetery Mausoleum in Wallace, NC.

The family expresses their gratitude to Well Care Home Health for all their years of care and to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice staff who treated her like a princess in her last days. Memorial gifts may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.

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A service of Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home Wilmington Chapel.