Della May Norris' Obituary
In Loving Memory of Della May Norris
January 10, 1929 – July 7, 2025
With hearts both heavy and grateful, we remember the life of Della May Norris, aged 96, who passed peacefully into eternal rest on July 7, 2025, surrounded by the love and presence of her devoted family.
Born on January 10, 1929, in St. Louis, Missouri, Della was the cherished daughter of Lawrence Akley and Chloe Hand. From her earliest days, she possessed a quiet strength, a resolute spirit, and a heart open to service—virtues that would come to define the course of her long and fruitful life.
On September 25, 1948, in her hometown of St. Louis, Della was united in holy matrimony to Frank D. Norris, with clergy officiating their vows. Together, they shared twenty-two years of partnership and purpose, raising three beloved children—Kathleen, Mark, and Matthew—each a testament to their enduring love and commitment.
Her dedication to her country and community was further exemplified in 1958, when she was awarded a Meritorious Service Commendation for her voluntary and faithful service in the United States Air Force Ground Observer Corps in Winnemucca, Nevada—a quiet but profound act of patriotism.
After nurturing her children through their early years, Della answered a new calling in public service, building a successful career at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Salem, Virginia. As the first in the county to serve as a Health Care Quality Assurance Professional, Della earned numerous performance awards for her dedicated service, which improved the healthcare received by countless veterans.
Della’s life was rich with color, movement, and devotion. An accomplished square dancer and passionate painter, her seascapes now hang in the homes of her children and grandchildren—each one a serene window into her spirit. She was a steadfast leader of Bible study groups and a faithful supporter of the Redwood Gospel Mission, reflecting her deep and abiding faith in God. That faith was her compass through all seasons of life—a source of strength, solace, and unshakable belief.
Her days were marked by humility, grace, and a rare, tender humor. In every trial, Della searched for the silver lining. In every soul, she sought the good. Her compassion knew no bounds, and she met the needs of others not with hesitation
but with heartfelt kindness and gentle wisdom.
Della’s legacy lives on in those who survive her: her children—Kathleen, Mark, and Matthew; her grandchildren—Brandin, Bradley, Katherine, Briana, Alex, Sammie, and Annie; and her great-grandchildren—Riley, Baron, Alistair, Trace, and Hart. In their faces, her light endures.
The quiet, radiant matriarch of our family—Della’s presence will be deeply missed, even as her memory continues to warm our hearts and guide our steps.
What’s your fondest memory of Della?
What’s a lesson you learned from Della?
Share a story where Della's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Della you’ll never forget.
How did Della make you smile?