Carmen Norris

Carmen Yvonne Lynn Norris, 83, transition peacefully on November 7, 2025, in Granada Hills, California. She was born January 24, 1942, to Alva Gordon Lynn and Rena Lorene Taylor in Crawford, Florida where she spent most of her childhood. She had a big extend family including her siblings: Jean Schoonover, Mike Travis and Greg Travis and her half siblings: James Lynn, Earl Lynn and Dora Lynn (Travis.) The Family moved to Valdosta, Georgia and there she planted her roots graduating from Valdosta High School followed by nursing school. After finishing nursing school, she married Ernest Steve Norris, and they were married for 42 years until his passing in 2004. She was a proud member of The Order of the Eastern Star. She and Steve were very active members of the Freemasonry where they would travel, participate in fund raisers, parades and jamborees. She loved to go dancing at the American Legion and would find as many dance suitors that would entertain her demanding dance card because Steve wasn’t really into dancing. However, it didn’t stop him from enjoying watching her have a blast. In 1972, after years of trying to have a child, they adopted a beautiful baby girl, they named Allison. Allison was the light in their eyes. Carmen loved doing arts and crafts for pretty much every holiday occasion she could find including making our Halloween costumes. She was a self-taught in crochet and needle point and an expert at ceramics. If you know the 80’s then you know the kind of ceramics we are talking about: Christmas trees with lights, lamps, mugs, owls, and ashtrays. Carmen met her best friend Doris Norsworthy in nursing school, and they had a lifelong friendship until her passing. Doris, her husband Dykes along with Carmen and Steve would have many camping and vacation adventures together. They were a second family, so much so that Allison called them aunt and uncle.

Carmen worked at Crestwood Nursing Home for 32 years of her 35 year career caring for so many people. She was considered one of the most loving, caring and compassionate nurses loved by so many there. Her heart was so big and everyone she met loved her immediately. She had a green thumb and a love of the African Violet plant. Purple was one of her favorite colors. She had the gift of making the best chicken and dumplings for the holidays even making an extra pot just for Allison (she was not a sharer.) Several times a year the entire family would go to Steve's favorite camping and fishing spot in Keaton Beach, Florida with camper and boat in tow. Carmen was an expert fisherwoman and even caught a shark once. During Allison’s childhood, both Carmen and Steve opened their homes and hearts to two special girls that Allison befriended and even let them be a part of the family. From Allyn Cay who, Allison met at Georgia Christian in first grade to Judy Frazier who she met in the neighborhood around 12 years old. Judy’s family dynamic was not ideal at that time. The two were just inseparable, so Allison asked her parents if she could come be a part of their family. And they said yes! It was the perfect time as the Norris family was moving from Brookwood Drive to Bambi Drive to start a new chapter. Carmen and Steve had such big hearts and they had always wanted Allison to have a sibling, but times were harder in those days. So this was their way to gift her that connection of a sibling.

She spent the last 21 years living in California, 19 1/2 with her sister Jean Schoonover in Newbury Park. Carmen and her sister were two peas in a pod creating a life together after they lost their beloveds. The last years of Carmen's life, she battled dementia and moved into a private boarding home in Granada Hills. She was cared for by an amazing team of angels. One of her caregivers said that she had taught her so much about telling the people that you love them every single day along with lots of hugs. Carmen was a big hugger even her last chapter of life. Her family was lucky that she still remember her daughter and sister until the very end as so many do not have that in the final stage of the disease. Carmen is now with her beloved Steve and I am sure she is "making" him spin her around the dance floor.

Carmen was preceded in death by her father Alva Gordon Lynn; her mother; Rena Lorene Taylor, husband; Ernest Steven Norris her bother; Michael G Lynn-Travis and her half-sibling; Earl Lynn, James Lynn, Dora Pearl Cannon her stepfather; Skip Travis.

She is survived by her daughter; Allison Norris-Austin, son in law Rick Austin and her sister Alva Jean Schoonover (California) and her brother Greg Travis (Oregon). She was Nana to her nieces children : Tami Egbert (Andrew and Addison) Kym Maher (Tyler and Toby) and nephew, Nathan Orhen (California.)

A funeral service to honor Carmen will be held at 2pm on Saturday, November 22, 2025. Burial will follow at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends before the service from 1 to 2pm. Online condolences may be shared at www.mclanecares.com.

Carson McLane Funeral Home