Lyle Mitchell Norcross

Lyle Mitchell Norcross, 64, formerly of Waynesboro, Va., died peacefully in his Richmond home Sunday evening, April 11, 2004 after a long illness. He was the loving and loyal husband of Joyce Ann Norcross for 42 years. He was born in Rockbridge County. He is the son of Willie Berry Norcross of Lexington, Va. and the late Lyle Colmore Norcross. Mr. Norcross was a retiree of IBM. He was a four time recipient of the Distinguished IBM Means and Service Award. He worked out of the Charlottesville branch office as a field engineer for 21 years. In 1988, he transferred to Richmond to become the installation planner for the State of Virginia. He worked in the downtown office for nine years before retiring. He was an avid reader and prided himself in always having a new joke on hand. His hobbies were NASCAR racing, playing golf and working crossword puzzles. He was a devoted father, grandfather, son and sibling; and he took every opportunity to spend time with his family and make them laugh. In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by his only daughter, Stephanie Norcross Thornton; son-in-law, John Turner Thornton; and granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth Thornton, all of Kennett Square, Pa.; one brother, Douglas Norcross of Waynesboro, Va.; and five sisters, Carol Moore, Artie Black of Lexington, Va., Betty Painter of Staunton, Va., Mary Jarvis of Harrisonburg, Va. and Emma Shelton of North Charleston, S.C. In addition to his father, he was predeceased by two sisters, Elizabeth "Libby" Houser of Staunton, Va. and Ruby Jarvis of Lexington, Va. The family will receive visitors at the Parham Chapel, Woody Funeral Home, 1771 Parham Rd., 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. The funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday at Second Baptist Church, 9614 River Rd., Richmond, Va. A graveside service will be held 3 p.m. later that afternoon at New Providence Church Cemetery in Brownsburg, Va.