Mary Wilburn Norris

Mary Norris was born to parents Iris Perry and Samuel Webster Wilburn at Pecan Hill, the family farm where they raised turkeys in rural Jasper County, South Carolina. Her family included siblings GC (Garry), Nora Joy and Sam, with whom she enjoyed a full, country childhood exploring the nearby woods and creeks when not busy with farm chores. An avid reader, talented soprano and faithful church member, Mary graduated from Furman University and went to work as librarian on the county bookmobile in Greenwood, SC. It was there she met and married returning WWII veteran Joseph Butler Norris. They lived amid Joe's extended Luquire family near Callison, SC, and had 4 children in stairsteps through the 50's, Iris, Meg, Maryll and Robin. In 1960 they moved the family back to her home county (Jasper) in southern South Carolina, where Joe assumed property management duties for Mary's mother Iris. Life in rural South Carolina well suited the family, with Joe industriously augmenting management duties with farming, hunting and fishing in the rich natural abundance of the lowcountry. The house and yard were always busy with beloved animals, including cats, dogs, rabbits, cows, horses and goats. Of particular delight was the raccoon Barnabas and the three baby squirrels who became temporary residents in the family menagerie. All four children attended Tillman Grade School, following in Mary's footsteps through the years, and all enjoyed a warm loving relationship with their surviving grandmother. Mary returned to the work force in 1962 as a social worker for DSS of Jasper County, where she worked diligently to provide foster and adoptive homes for many young children in great need. Her dedicated church work and enthusiastic choir membership continued throughout her long life. She suffered grievously in a car accident in 1969 that claimed daughter Iris's life, fighting her way back to health and returning to work within the following year. The marriage did not survive the tragedy, however, and daughter Maryll was lost to cancer in 1999. Mary kept busy with church work as a charter member of Calvary Baptist Church, where she served faithfully following her retirement from the state. In addition, she enjoyed bird watching, listening to music, craft projects and crossword puzzles. In her declining years Mary moved to live with daughter Meg and family in Raleigh, North Carolina, and continued in assisted care in the area until her death. Of great delight to her was being near her beloved brother Sam and his family. Mary is survived by brother Sam and his wife Barbara Wilburn of Chapel Hill, NC; daughter Meg and son-in-law Dean Economy of Raleigh; son Robin and daughter-in-law Mary Norris of Dahlonega, GA; 7 adult grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren. A brief prayer service is scheduled with the family for Monday March 16th, 6pm, at Sauls Funeral Home, 310 Adams St., Ridgeland, SC 29936. The Funeral Service is to be held on Tuesday March 17th at 3pm, at Calvary Baptist Church, 371 Smiths Crossing, Ridgeland, SC 29936, with interment to follow at the Ridgeland Cemetery. A brief prayer service is scheduled with the family for Monday March 16th, 6pm, at Sauls Funeral Home, 310 Adams St., Ridgeland, SC 29936. The Funeral Service is to be held on Tuesday March 17th at 3pm, at Calvary Baptist Church, 371 Smiths Crossing, Ridgeland, SC 29936, with interment to follow at the Ridgeland Cemetery.