Ethel Mae Gooden Norris was born on October 10, 1932, in Gaffney, South Carolina. She was one of six children born of the late Rev. Dock and Delia Gooden. She quietly went home to the Lord, departing this world on Saturday, October 2, 2021.

After graduating from Granard High School at age 17, Ethel moved to Washington D.C. Soon after, she met and married James Author Norris. Mr. and Mrs. Norris had four children, Yvonne Montgomery, James Author Norris Jr., Ronnie Norris, and Gloria Norris.

Ethel was a go-getter, and she worked hard for her family. She worked at FDIC and retired after thirty years. Ethel wasn’t one to sit still for too long. Before her family knew it, Ethel began a new career in administrative work and education. Ethel was family-oriented. She followed her granddaughter and worked at each school her grandchild attended.

Before anything, Ethel was firstly a woman of God. She was a member of Peace Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., where she served as a Pastor’s Aide for over thirty-plus years. Ethel was a beautiful and graceful woman who was very caring and giving. She truly believed it was better to give than to receive. She would want us to remember her as the beautifully strong and lovely woman that she was.

She leaves to cherish her loving memory: her sister, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, four children, nine grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A Graveside Service will be held Saturday, October 9, 2021, at 1:00 p.m., in Gaffney Memorial Park Cemetery.