LaVerne Norris, Warner Robins community stalwart, dies

LaVerne Norris, a former Warner Robins councilwoman, businesswoman and community fixture, died Sunday. She was 88.

Norris was a “steel magnolia,” a Georgia-born lady who traveled the world and broke barriers without ever getting ruffled, said Marsha Priest Buzzell, executive director of the Warner Robins Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Norris was one of the first three women invited to join the Warner Robins Rotary Club in 1991, and she even managed Saudi Arabian men in that country decades ago, Buzzell said.

“She had a special touch on how to handle people and things, I’ll tell you,” Buzzell said. “I’m shocked she’s not with us now, but her legacy will live on. She’s touched many people and places.”

Buzzell said Norris, who served on the City Council from 1990-1995, was fueled by her inner steel.

“She just had a mission every day, and got up and got out in the community and really cared about this community. She was involved in so much, the hospital, community concerts, cultural events .... There was nothing she could not do,” Buzzell said.

Norris was born in Augusta and later traveled the world with her husband, Russel, living in six states and five foreign countries with their daughters Nicki and Donna, according to Norris’ obituary.

The couple eventually settled in Warner Robins. Russel Norris, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force during World War II, the Berlin Airlift and Air America, died in 2012.

They were married 69 years.

When the Houston Mall opened, LaVerne Norris became its manager. When what’s now the Houston County Galleria opened, Norris had already helped bring in the first medical offices to the older Houston Mall. It was at Houston Mall where Norris mentored entrepreneurs such as Buzzell, whose business was next to Norris’ office.

Jim Elliott, longtime city attorney for Warner Robins, recalled Norris as the third woman ever elected to the City Council.

Elliott said Monday he keeps hearing comments like “What a Southern lady” when referring to her.

“She always had poise and grace,” he said. “She could disagree without being disagreeable.”

City Councilwoman Carolyn Robbins, who was a city employee when Norris served on the council, remembered Norris as “a very gracious, graceful, generous woman.”

“She will be missed in this community,” Robbins said. “She worked hard for the city. She cared about the city -- and those were the years when we were growing at a fast pace -- and she did a lot to promote the city.”

Norris’ accomplishments include being named the American Heart Association’s Volunteer of the year (1987), the Warner Robins Chamber of Commerce’s Person of the Year (1988) and the Civitan Club’s Citizen of the Year (1989).

Norris was chairwoman of the first International City Festival board and a charter member of the Warner Robins CVB.

After her induction into the Rotary Club, she remained active in the club until her death.

Buzzell said the club would have a candle at Norris’ seat during its Tuesday meeting.

Buzzell never heard Norris tout herself as a barrier breaker. But Norris did take her own advice and sleep on problems and defended her opinion in ways that made people take notice.

“For a teeny tiny, petite lady weighing 107 pounds, people paid attention,” Buzzell said.

“With a very nice, calm, beautiful smile -- I can see her smile now.”

Norris is also remembered in other ways. A flower named after her by Marvin Jernigan of Warner Robins is listed in the International Camellia Register, which describes a very large pink and white blossom with 40 petals.

Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday at McCullough Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. in the funeral home’s chapel. Entombment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Heart of Georgia Hospice, 103 Westridge Drive, Warner Robins, GA 31088.

Telegraph writers Jennifer Burk and Mike Stucka contributed to this report.

This story was originally published February 2, 2015 at 10:09 AM with the headline "LaVerne Norris, Warner Robins community stalwart, dies ."