Virginia Bonner "Ginger" Norcross

1935 - 2025

Virginia (Ginger) Bonner Norcross passed away on November 3, 2025, leaving an indelible mark as a gentle and gracious wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and neighbor. Ginger will be remembered for her kindness, devotion, the warmth of her smile, and for serving her family, friends, church, and community with a generous spirit.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, on September 29, 1935, Ginger was the daughter of Dr. Robert F. Bonner and Virginia Belle Gardner Bonner. She grew up in Memphis alongside her beloved younger sister, Barbara Bonner Prest, near their maternal grandparents, Joseph and Virginia Casey Gardner, surrounded by the love of extended family.

Ginger attended St. Agnes Academy, Sweet Briar College, and Vanderbilt University, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. She completed her formal education at the Memphis Academy of Art, where her passion for watercolor and illustration blossomed.

In 1959, her parents asked her to join them for dinner with their dear friends Helene and Herrick Norcross and their eldest son Bob, who had recently returned to Tyronza, Arkansas, to farm with his father and brother after four years of military service. It was, indeed, Bob's lucky day. Six months later, Ginger and Bob were married at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Memphis. They made their home in Tyronza, where they raised four spirited children who grew up surrounded by cousins and family, forming deeply rooted connections to their heritage.

A gifted watercolor artist, Ginger captured the beauty of the world around her through gentle brushstrokes and luminous color. She generously shared her she creative talents and sense of grace as a lifetime member of the Memphis Garden Club, the Memphis Junior League, the Tuesday Study Club, and the Curators Circle at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens.

After Bob's retirement from farming, the couple moved to Heber Springs, Arkansas, and later to Sandestin, Florida. With each move, Ginger quickly became an active member of her community and church. A devout Catholic, she served as a eucharistic minister, a Stephen Minister, and participated in many silent retreats and devotions. She and Bob traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad, but nothing brought her greater joy than spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-nieces and nephews. She delighted in teaching them to watercolor and hosting her signature tea parties-which, over time, evolved into cocktail hours and competitive gin rummy games, where she almost always held the winning hand.

After Bob's passing in 2015, Ginger returned to her beloved hometown of Memphis to share her life with her sister Barbara and their family and lifelong friends. She treasured these years, traveling with her children and their families, celebrating countless milestones-graduations, births, and weddings-and making each family member fand friend feel uniquely cherished.

In 2023, Ginger was predeceased by her first-born child, Robert Bonner Norcross (Jill).

Cherishing her memory are her children: Helene Norcross Rayder, Michael Wilson Norcross (Mira), and Jonathan Gardner Norcross (Scott Paterek), along with her daughter-in-law, Jill H. Norcross, widow of Rob. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren: Brandt and Phoebe Norcross; Virginia Rayder Steilen (Brett); and Sydney, Aria, Strom and Oslo Norcross. Ginger will be greatly missed by her sister, Barbara Bonner Prest, as well as by her many nieces, nephews, and their families.

In her final year, determined to remain in her beautiful home, Ginger was lovingly cared for by Dorothy Sheldon, Imelda and Liliana Sanchez, and a wonderful team of caregivers from Attendant Care Services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Michael's Catholic Church or to the Alzheimer's Association (Team RoBoNo).

Visitation will be 2:00 to 3:00 pm on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at St. Michael's Catholic Church, with the Mass of Christian Burial following at 3:00 pm