Lawrence Alton "Bud" Norris

Abingdon, Va. - Lawrence Alton “Bud” Norris, 79, went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 8, 2017, at Abingdon Health & Rehab. He was the fifth of seven children, born to the late Wade Forster Norris and Eula Frances Rose Norris on January 31, 1938, in Clintwood, Va. Bud was employed with Clinchfield Coal Company for 30 years and retired in 2000. Bud served in the Army Reserves and was a former member of the Abingdon Volunteer Fire Department. He loved spending time with his family and friends, and he attended Abingdon Bible Church. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, papaw and friend.

Bud had a passion for fishing that started when he was a young boy. He spent a lot of time on South Holston Lake as well as many other lakes. He was a charter member of the Washington County Bass Club and was named Fisherman of the Year many times. He loved fishing tournaments and took First Place in a lot of them. He was always happy to share his knowledge and teach someone to fish. He also liked to hunt and was on a bowling league for many years. He was most happy being outdoors and had a special place in his heart for animals. He enjoyed spending time with his friends and the sweet ladies at Chick-n-Little. Despite the many losses in his life, he always had a smile on his face and tried hard to make you laugh. He stayed strong and positive no matter what the situation. He was a gentle soul and to know him was to love him.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his high school sweetheart and wife of 15 years, Phyllis Julia Hay Norris; daughter, Peggy Norris; granddaughter, Jayla Cannon-Sullivan; brother, Dale Norris and sister, Joyce King.

Bud is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Vicki Smith Norris; two daughters, Robin Norris Ratcliff and husband John of Bristol, Va. and Mary Norris Poe and husband Michael of Abingdon; two step-sons, Michael Owens of Suffolk, Va. and William Owens of Richmond, Va.; step-daughter, Tammy Kimberlin and husband Stuart of Saltville, Va.; three sisters: Jean Hill of Clintwood, Va., Lorene Shafer and husband Jack of Streetsboro, Ohio, and Sue McClanahan and husband Kyle of Grundy, Va.; one brother, Ed Norris and wife Mary of Abingdon; ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral ceremony will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, February 12, 2017, at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Dr. Paul Bufford officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens where family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Visitation will be prior to the service from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Flowers will be welcome, but memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Post Office Box 1000, Dept. 42, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 (www.stjude.org).

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Wanda Kiser, Peggy Harless, Ginger McIntyre, Dr. David Thompson and the staff at Abingdon Health & Rehab for their loving care, and we want to extend a special thank you to Crystal for the wonderful care she took with Dad these last few months.

Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guestbook.

The family of Lawrence Alton “Bud” Norris is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).