Virginia Norris
Virginia Norris
Virginia Norris
1921-2016
Virginia Everitt Norris, of Canton, died March 6, 2016.
Mrs. Norris was born Feb. 26, 1921, in Cheneyville, La. to the late Alzine and James Benjamin Everitt.
She graduated from Arlington High School in 1938. After graduation, she worked for the Casa Manana Theater in Fort Worth as a showgirl during the 1939 show season.
She graduated from North Texas Agricultural College in Arlington in 1940, with an associate’s degree in science.
She married Paul D. Norris Feb. 15, 1941. She accompanied him to numerous locations throughout the United States while he worked for the U.S. Army Air Corp and later with the U.S. Corp of Engineers in Galveston.
In l946, a daughter, Paula Sue, was born in Dallas. In 1948, they moved to Paul’s hometown of Celina where they started a successful business selling appliances. In 1951, a son, Mark, was born in Dallas. She actively participated in the family business, managing a second store in Frisco. She was very involved in the community and her children’s activities, always lovingly encouraging them to do their best academically and professionally.
Eventually, her love of learning and her ambition compelled her to return to college after 26 years. In 1969, she graduated with a business of science degree in secondary education from North Texas State University in Denton.
She taught English in the Celina School system for a number of years. She loved teaching, but in 1985 she and Paul moved to Canton to pursue her second passion, buying and selling antiques. They started a new business at First Monday Trades Day in Canton.
Her passion for the business never diminished, despite Paul’s death in 2006. She and her daughter-in-law, Paula Harris Norris, started another business on the Trades Day grounds called Sisters, selling antiques and antique furniture.
She worked continuously in her business until the late fall of 2014, where, at 94 years of age, ill health precluded her from continuing. She loved the business and always enjoyed meeting and interacting with people who stopped to shop and visit. She had many friends and those who knew her loved her generous nature, her warmth and the kindness she shared with others. She was an extraordinary woman who brightened the lives of all those who met her. She was a Christian and member of the First Baptist Church of Canton.
Her husband Paul, daughter Paula Sue, and sister, Alzine Munford preceded her in death.
Survivors include her sister, Jamye Goodwin of Houston; son, Mark Norris MD and daughter-in-law Paula Harris Norris of Dallas; three grandchildren, Laura Virginia Arnold of Allen, Marquin Norris Turpin of Richmond and Alan Norris of Dallas; four great-grandchildren, Isla and Avara Arnold of Allen and Max and Beau Turpin of Richmond.
A celebration of her life will be held at noon on Saturday, March 19 in the Abbey Chapel at Restland Funeral Home at 13005 Greenville Ave, Dallas.
