Betty Jean Norris

             Betty Jean Norris, 84, of Highlands, Texas, passed away on Friday, July 5th, 2019 at her home in Lynchburg.  She was born on September 26, 1934 in Maud, Texas to William Dozier and Mildred Randolph Bell.

            She spent her childhood years growing up on a farm in Redwater, Texas. Known as Jean to her family, she spent many of hardworking days on that farm doing her daily chores to take care of her family. In High School, she loved volleyball, typing, and math. She always said no one could beat her in math and typing.  She would always be first to finish and could hear those boys say “there she goes!” After graduating with a class of 12 from Redwater High School, Jean moved to Houston, Texas where she became known as Betty and started working downtown as a typist writing checks for a company TJ Bettis.  Betty loved professional wrestling and country music.  The country music scene is how she met her husband of 62 years, Francis Ceal Norris, otherwise known as ‘Slick.’

            The year was 1955, and a country music artist named Jimmy C. Newman introduced Slick and Betty. Slick had invited her to a show 2 weeks later and and she showed up just before midnight. They fell in love and Married 2 years later. They moved to Highlands, Texas and had their 1st son in 1959.  Shortly after, built their home in Lynchburg, Texas where Slick still resides today.

            Betty started her family and had 4 sons.  She spent many years attending sporting events, fishing, and camping. Highlands Little League and Northshore Bowling Alley got to know her pretty well.  She was the local Avon lady in Lynchburg and absolutely loved to visit all her neighbors and friends.  She later became an avid bingo player. No one could dab a bingo card quite like Betty.  She also loved to play the slot machines at the Louisiana casinos.  She would say “do whatever makes you happy, as long as it’s moral and legal.”

            Betty was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, W.D. Billie Jr, Johnny Ray, Buddy Quinn, Troy Eugene, and George Edward ‘Sonny’ Bell.  She leaves behind to cherish her memory, her caring husband Slick Norris; her children Steve, Mike, Greg, and Chris Norris; her daughter-in-laws Janet, and Patty Norris; her grandchildren Melissa, Ryan, Chris, Katelyn, Montana, Travis, Justin, Jennifer, Jessica, Justin, Jason, Josh, and Jacy; her brother Herbert Lynn Bell; her sister-in-laws Joyce Bell, Kathryn Frudiger, and Rosa Mae Gallik; her nieces Peggy, Lori, Patty, and Judy; her nephews Eddie, Ronnie, Rick and Mark; and her 9 great-grandchildren with more on the way.

            Friends are invited to visit with the family on Thursday, July 11, 2019 beginning from 10:00am to 12:00pm at Sterling White Funeral Home. Funeral services will begin at 12:00pm. Interment will follow in Sterling White Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Sterling White Funeral Home, 11011 Crosby-Lynchburg Rd., Highlands, TX 77562.