Elizabeth Ann Norris

BURLINGTON Elizabeth Ann Clapp Norris, age 86, rejoined her family in her heavenly home on Wednesday, March 14, 2018. Her recent residence was in the Twin Lakes Retirement Community of Burlington, NC. The daughter of Charlie Gilmer Clapp and Cora Lee Mock Clapp, Lib was born on May 15, 1932, in eastern Guilford County, North Carolina. "Lib" became the name all her family and friends called her. She had many stories and fond memories growing up on the farm in the close-knit community of McLeansville. She attended McLeansville Elementary School, where she, her friends, and siblings put on plays for their parents. They formed a group they called the Uncle Sam's Defense Club. Once a month, they met at a member's home, where they pooled their pennies to purchase US Savings Stamps. From those stamps, they purchased War Bonds to fund World War II. The mothers would serve cookies and Kool-aid to bolster their morale and support their activities. With Lib's keen memory, she still knew the names of all the members: Marvin, David, John Clapp, Mary Bell, the Shepards and Eleanor and the Sharpe children. After graduating in 1950 from McLeansville High School, Lib attended Brevard College one year, then moved on to High Point University to earn a degree in early childhood education. Her first teaching assignment was in Thomasville City Schools. It was there, while rooming with Nannie Greene, she met her future husband, Eddie Paul Norris. It seems a church picnic was planned and one of Nannie's friends brought Eddie, who was home on leave from the Army. The group needed a female to fill in and invited Lib. From exchanging letters during the week and visits on the weekend, their love grew. As is usually the expectation, Lib followed her new husband wherever he went. After a very short residence in the Detroit, MI area, they returned home settling in Eddie's home county of Watauga. In Boone and Watauga County, Lib taught school for 31 years. She became teacher of Teacher of the Year in 1973-74 while at Cove Creek Elementary School. She was a life member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an honorary teachers sorority; a member of NCEA and NEA, North Carolina Educators Association and National Education Association. While in college, she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. During her years in Boone and Watauga County she and Eddie were members of Henson Chapel United Methodist Church of Vilas. From teaching Sunday School and Bible School, and holding almost every office in the Methodist Church, Lib was a leader. Later, they moved to the Boone United Methodist Church, where Lib had a lifetime membership in the United Methodist Women and also worked in many capacities. While most recently a member at Boone United Methodist, she also held associate membership at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church in Greensboro, the church where she spent her childhood. Lib was a member of the Eastern Star for over 60 years. She was a past Worthy Matron of OES. After Lib and Eddie retired, they spent many years traveling to 49 of the 50 states. Beginning in 1975 to 2000, they made yearly trips to discover and enjoy the United States. Often they took close friends with them as they experienced this wonderful country. Lib and Eddie were married for 58 years. They built a nice cabin in the beautiful Watauga Mountains where Eddie grew up. The cabin has been a "get-away" place for many family and friends. Always with a giving heart, Lib shared her resources and talents with her students and to anyone where she saw a need. Mrs. Norris was preceded in death by her parents and husband. Also, her only child, Gregory Newton Norris, passed away during his 21st year. Preceding her is sister, Dorothy Clapp Guffey; sisters-in-law Sylvia Fryar Clapp and Grace Wheeler Norris Wagner, and brother-in-law John Greer Norris. Those left to cherish her memory: brothers Marvin Clapp and David Clapp (Emily); brother-in-law Don Wagner; nieces and nephews, Andy Clapp (Lisa), Alan Clapp (Amy), Mike Clapp (Pam), Raymond Clapp (Shree), Steven Clapp (Crystal), Kim Jackson (Jeremiah), Jeff Guffey, Regina Miller (Earl), Renetta Lineberry (John); great-nieces and nephews: Drew, Spencer, Heath, Alana, Gwyneth, Jacob, Michaela, Rachel, Brandon, David, Sarah, Lauren, and Jonathan. Also she leaves two great-great-nieces and one great-great-nephew. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2018, at 1 p.m., visitation 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., (all) at Austin Barnes Funeral Home, Boone, North Carolina. Mrs. Norris requested that memorial donations be made to Hospice of Alamance County, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215 or to the Greg Norris Memorial Scholarship Fund at Watauga High School, 300 Go Pioneers Drive, Boone, NC 28607. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Norris (Clapp) family.