Gene Bennett Norris Sr. passed away peacefully on June 29, 2024 with his daughters by his side. Gene was born in Brunswick County on October 4, 1936 to the late Leon Cameron Norris Sr. and Oleta Bennett Norris. He joins his sweetheart of 68 years Barbara Murden Norris who passed on June 3, 2024 and his only son Buddy Norris.

Gene grew up at Hickman’s Crossroads and always considered “Caw Caw” his home. He worked for Seaboard Coastline Railroad in Jacksonville, Florida, before returning to NC to work at Riegel Paper Company. Gene believed the Lord placed a calling on his life to be a teacher and preacher of the gospel. He moved his family to Pensacola, Florida in 1972 where he attended Liberty Bible College. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Theology in 1976.

Gene returned to North Carolina and worked in numerous churches and homes teaching God’s word. He had a special place in his heart for working with couples to instill Biblical principles in their homes. The lives of many people were impacted and changed through his guidance.

Gene loved seafood. On Saturdays, he would take his family to fish off the bridge over Pensacola Bay. He would spend hours clamming and crabbing off his dock at Shell Point with his grandchildren. While he enjoyed this time with family, his most precious moments were spent investing in the lives of his three children. Gene fostered a love of God’s word and an unwavering faith even through his illness. He held family devotions and prayers with his wife and young children sharing his deep knowledge of the Bible. He is described as the “rock of our family” and “the voice of calm and reason” by his girls.

Gene finished his working career as a salesman at Dew Company in North Myrtle Beach, SC and worked outages in Nuclear Plants across North Carolina alongside his son. His coworkers continue to recall his quick wit and humor to this day. He loved to laugh but even better, making someone else’s day better with something funny. Gene retired in Dunn, North Carolina.

Gene is survived by his daughters Teresa Morton of Lake Tillery and Melissa Etheridege (Randy) of Wake Forest; daughter-in-law, Amy Norris; brothers-in-law, Louis Murden, Jr. (Carolyn) and Jackie Thomas; Grandchildren Derek Morton, Seth Morton (Jana), Rhyan Norris Paradee, Emily Keteles (Andrew), Scott Etheridge (Sara), and Great Grandchildren Holden & Maverick Keteles, Grace & Noah Etheridge, MJ Cranford, Lillie & Ellie Morton, Eisley Paradee, Colt Morton, Liv Pennington

A memorial service will be conducted at 2:00 PM, Sunday, July 7, 2024, at Brunswick Funeral Service, Shallotte Chapel, 5229 Ocean Highway West, Shallotte, NC 28470. There is no planned visitation.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Heartland Hospice, 4515 Falls of Neuse Rd, Suite, 420, Raleigh, NC 27609