Ulysses Norris, Sr.

A celebration of life for Ulysses “Lil Boot” Norris, Sr., was held Wednesday, Oct. 19, at St. James A.M.E. Church in Monticello with Pastor Donna Marie Calix officiating. Burial was in South View Cemetery.

Mr. Norris was born December 1, 1931 to the parentage of Arthur Norris and Jessie Ridley, both now deceased. Lil Boot transitioned peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016 at the age of 84.

Mr. Norris was educated in the Jasper County School System. He enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War (1950-1953). He was discharged honorably in 1954. He worked in the local pulpwood industry for a number of years. Later he was employed as a civil service employee at Warner Robins Air Force Base. He was a dependable and dedicated employee of the Air Force base for over 30 years where he received numerous awards for his superior job performance.

He married Lottie O’Neal Freeman on June 21, 1949. They were married for 67 years, and they were blessed with eight children. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Lottie O’Neal Norris; children, Danny (Pat), Bobby (Brenda), Ulysses Jr. (Eloise), Doug (Nona), Juanita, Charlotte (Willie) White, and Michael. Their son Phillip Ulysses preceded him in death.

Grandchildren surviving include DeAngelo, Carlos, Thaddeus, Torre, Travis, Tiffany, Lavontae, Deonka, Amber Malcolm, Morgan; step-grandchildren, Mikeya, Marcus-Tor, and Kristy along with 20 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren as well as a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and a special cousin, Edna Ridley.

Other survivers include sisters, Louise Stone, Elizabeth (William) Slate, and brother, Charlie (Patricia) Stone, his sisters-in-law Minnie (William) Stallworth, Ella Whitening, Shirley Johnson, his brothers-in-law Herbert (Elizabeth) Littles, Douglas (Marcia) Littles, and Hardy Littles, Jr. He was preceded in death by his step-father Preston Stone Sr., and his brother Preston Stone, Jr.

Ulysses accepted Christ into his life at an early age. He was a lifelong member of St. James A.M.E. Church where he served on the Trustee Board and the Steward Board. He faithfully attended church each Sunday until he became ill in June, 2016.

Ulysses was considered the “Community Papa,” father to others, a “Life” coach to many. He was a lifetime member of The Beneficial Club. And he also volunteered with the Jasper County Care Corps and OctoberBlitz. He was respected as a talented baseball player; a catcher that would throw a runner stealing second base out from his squatting position. Ulysses played in the era of the Negro League during the time of great African American baseball players such as Satchel Paige and Jackie Robinson. But for the times, Lil Boot would have been a catcher in the big leagues.

Smith and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.