Reverend Carlyle Timothy Norris, age 93, of Wilmington, passed from his earthly life to his heavenly home on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, surrounded by his family. He was a member of the Pine Valley Church of God.
He was born on August 16, 1926 in Pender County, the son of the late Benjamin Curtis and Janie Wells Norris. He was preceded in death by his best friend and wife of 70 years, Elizabeth Strickland Norris and siblings, Jr. Norris, Vance Norris, Gene Allen Norris, I.B. Norris, and Mary Ruth Parker.
He is survived by his sons, Carlyle Timothy "Tim" Norris, Jr. and wife Sherry of Castle Hayne, and Kenneth Dale Norris of Wilmington; daughter, Sandra Kay Carvel of Wilmington; grandchildren, Christel Norris Williams and husband Jeff, Kelly Norris Cook and husband Brandon, Tammy Norris Fowler and husband Joey, Kevin Dale Norris, Jessica Marie Norris; 8 great grand-children and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends that loved him dearly.
“I have fought the good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
This was his goal. Carlyle was a man of God, full of love and compassion for others. In his younger years, he built and pastored the Wallace and Bolton Churches of God and evangelized. Many people were introduced to Jesus through his ministry and the example he set.
Carlyle also worked for Pepsi Bottling for 47 years, where he was respectfully known as Rev. After starting as a route salesman, he co-managed the new Pepsi Warehouse in Wallace, then in Wilmington. Later he drove a tractor trailer, delivering Pepsi products throughout North and South Carolina.
In his spare time, he loved wood-working and kept the yard full of wooden, colorfully painted holiday displays… whatever his wife Elizabeth wanted. If someone asked where they lived, we would reply, “you know, the house on College Road with all the holiday displays.”
After retiring from Pepsi, he spent most of his time working in the yard, solving word search puzzles, reading the Bible, and praying. His Bible was always open, and any time he prayed, it would make you cry. Sitting in his chair, looking out the window, he would ask the Lord to bless every bag of chips.
Of course, he got a little bored in his 70s, so he began helping his son wire houses. He always said, “at least I can plug and switch”, and he did it very meticulously. The pages of his word search books were just as meticulous… the lines perfectly straight, the curves perfectly smooth, just like the cover.
Over the last couple years, and in slowly declining health, he would still mow his lawn and trim the hedges. And then he would sit in the back yard, diligently cutting all the trimmings into little pieces that he could put into trash bags suitable for the city trash cart.
Carlyle was such a loving and caring husband to his wife when she was ill that his family greeted him with “You’re a good man, Charlie Brown!” If you have a memory you would like to share with the family, select our "Guestbook" above.
The family would like to express thanks to everyone for their many deeds of kindness during this time. Thanks also to Dr. Chris Cosgrove for his special care, to the Senior Resource Center for providing Meals on Wheels, and to the South College Road Hardees for 50 years of love and biscuits.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, May 8, 2020 at Riverview Memorial Park Mausoleum in Watha, NC, with his son, Tim Norris, officiating. Covid-19 social distancing guidelines will be observed.
Memorial gifts may be sent to New Hanover Senior Resource Center, Meals on Wheels, 2222 South College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403 so they can provide meals to more shut-ins. This is a phenomenal service in that shut-ins not only look forward to that meal that is delivered, but to the personal contact of the deliverer. Thanks again to this service over the past four years.
Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home of Wallace, NC 910-285-4005
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