Howard "Smokey" Marvin Norris

Howard "Smokey" Marvin Norris, known affectionately as Paw-Paw, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2023, at the Robin Johnson Hospice House in Dallas, NC, at the age of 92. He was born on December 8, 1930, in Gaston County, NC to the late Alex Norris and Doshia Elizabeth Shelton. Howard was an adored husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose absence will be deeply felt by all those who knew and loved him. 

Howard was a man of God, who also had a gift for playing the guitar, a passion for listening to old country music, enjoyed sitting on his front porch, loved chocolate milkshakes from Tony’s, and could fix anything. 

He was predeceased by his daughter, Sandra K. Ray, his son, Howard “Ricky” Norris, Jr., and his best friend of over 60 years, Johnny Kale.



Howard leaves behind his devoted wife of 56 years, Barbara Norris. Their love story was one filled with warmth and devotion that served as an inspiration to all who witnessed it. He is survived by his loving daughters, Kathy Denton (husband Gary) and Susan "Susie" Lee; grandchildren, Cassi, Kristin (husband Jordan), Cager (wife Kristen), Kelsey (fiancé Weston), Lejin, Aries, and Sebastian; and great-grandchildren, Adelie, Grady, Olive, Jacob, Cager III, Lola, Soren, and Reid.



Although he is no longer with us physically, we know he has a brand new body and mind in Heaven.