Joan Theresa "Joannie" Norris
November 15, 1948 ~ January 5, 2020
Joan Theresa Johnson Norris , “Joannie” , of Hollywood, Maryland, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends at St. Mary’s Hospice after a long 6 year battle with cancer on January 5, 2020.
Joannie is survived by her two sons, Charles Benedict Norris, Jr., and Dr. Brian Michael Norris. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren and one Great Grandchild. Joannie will be remembered as a loving Mother, Sister, Daughter, Aunt, grandmother, Great-Grandmother, as well as a close friend to many in the St. Mary’s County community. No one was a “stranger” to her. Her larger than life personality and love for everyone touched the hearts of many and was a true blessing to all who knew her. Joannie was a St. Marys County Native and resident all her life, and after graduating from Chopticon High School she began working for 9 years at the C&P Telephone Company followed by 34 years with The Kmart Corporation where she won countless employee of the year awards and received the distinguish honor of representing the Company in Annapolis before Governor Willian Donald Shaefer prior to her retirement in 2010. Many affectionately referred to her as the “Retail Queen or Miss Kmart”.
She is survived by her siblings John Bertman Johnson of Nanjemoy, Shirley Ann Dean of Clements, Mary Ellen Curry of LaPlata, Dorothy Marie Gonzalez of Tampa Fl, James Edward Johnson of Charlotte Hall, David Wayne Johnson of Callaway, Phyllis Faye MacDonald of Indiana, Brenda Gayle Yates of Clements, Patricia Darlene “Patsy”Murphy of Mechanicsville, and William Alfred Johnson of Leonardtown. She is preceded in death by her beloved parents, George Thomas Johnson Sr., and Dorothy Ann Faunce Johnson.
She is also preceded in death by her eldest brother George Thomas Johnson Jr. and her sisters Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Hayghe, Janice Christine “Tina” Lyghtle, Catherine Delores Lawrence, Barbara Jean “Jeannie” Wheatley, Judy Lee Earp, Nancy Diane Neill, Peggy Susan Johnson, Vicky Lynn Johnson, and Joyce Ann Johnson.
Viewing will be from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7:00 PM at Mattingley-Gardner Funeral home on January 13th, 2020. Prayers will be led by Father David Beaubien of St. Aloysius Church at which time a decade of the Holy Rosary will be recited A Catholic Mass of Celebration of Joannie’s life will be held at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Leonardtown, Maryland on Tuesday, January 14th, 2020 at 9:30 AM. A Eulogy co written by her son Brian Michael Norris and niece Joyce Renee Ridgell will be given by Joyce Renee Ridgell, daughter of Mom’s deceased sister Jeannie. Active pallbearers will be James Edward Johnson, David Wayne Johnson, Michael Dean, Thomas Curry Jr, Kirk D. Rustin, and Tyler Anthony Nelson. Honorary pallbearers will be Matthew Norris, Carley Norris, Chelsey Nicole Norris, Wyatt Nicholas Larson, Elias White, and Alexis Renee Ridgell. Interment will follow the funeral mass at St. Mary’s Queen of Peace Cemetery in Helen, Maryland.
Contributions may be made to Hospice House of St. Mary’s P.O. Box 625 Leonardtown, MD 20650.
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To Joannie’s family: She will be SO greatly missed by So many. She was a ray of sunshine everywhere she went. Never a dull moment when Joannie was around. Take comfort in knowing she was loved by So many. May Our Lord and Savior grant her eternal rest as He welcomes her home. Be there for each other and may you have strength to get you through this difficult time.
To All Joannie’s Family: Joannie was such a beautiful soul who made everyone in her path smile. Our most heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you all!
My sincere condolences to all Joannie’s family. We truly miss her beautiful personality at our Wednesday Bluegrass sessions and always. What happiness she brought to everyone.
Rest In Peace Momma. Thank you for always being there and loving me as your daughter. You mean the world to me. I will miss you everyday and hold on to the promise we made each other. No one will ever forget you and I will continue to share your love of family, friends, dancing and living life to the fullest. I thank you for being the best grandma to my kids and grandson and the memories of you will go on forever. After all you made me pinky swear. I love you mom rest easy and show them how it’s done in Heaven. Love you always Sheila
To Joannie’s family and her dear friend Cathy: I only met this lovely lady a couple years ago, but felt as though I knew her for years. I know she will be truly missed. Now is the time to reflect on the MEMORIES and most of all no more pain for Ms. Joannie!
Until we all meet Ms. Joannie again!
To all of Joannie’s family,
She was definitely one in a million. She was always smiling and knew everyone. She fought a long battle and can rest now. Words can not express my feelings. God bless all of you.
Marilyn McGinnis-Brown
To Joannie’s family, Joannie was one beautiful lady that always had a smile and kind word to share when ever I would see her. We will keep all of her beautiful family in our thoughts and prayers. R.I.P. Joannie.
To Joannie’s family: Extending my deepest heartfelt condolences! I will cherish the last deep conversation Joannie and I had in Sep 2018. Her spiritual energy was endless. Joannie is already missed so very much. Her beautiful heart lit up every place she walked into. I am keeping all of you close in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May her beautiful soul rest peacefully in the arms of the Lord whom she loved so much. God Bless.
To Joannie’s Family: I am so saddened to hear of Joannie’s passing. I have known her since elementary school and she was a dear friend. She fought such a hard and brave battle and is now in Heaven watching over her loved ones. Be very proud to know that she touched the hearts and lives of so many people and that she was loved by so many. She will be missed by all that had the pleasure to know her and I’m sure the love she gave everyone here on earth will continue from heaven above. She will always be watching over you and smiling. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. RIP Joannie!
JOANIE’S FAMILY
Our thoughts and prayers are with Joanie’s Family. I worked with joanie in Leonardtown when it was ma bell & c&p. we had the best times and she was the life of the party so full of life all the time!!!!! May God Bless All of You and Keep JOANIE’S MEMORIES ALIVE!!!!!! My Joe remembers her on the school bus days!!!!
From ELAINE LONG COPSEY & JOE COPSEY from CHESTERTOWN,MD.
Shirley and family so sorry to hear of Joannie’s passing. Always enjoyed talking to her and seeing that beautiful smile. Look out heaven, you now have Joannie and Liz there. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time.
Bertha & Rick Raley
So sorry to hear of Joan’s passing . Prayers to the family. May you rest in peace
So sorry to hear of the loss of my friend. I had just said last week that I needed to get back to hospice to visit her, but was sad to hear she didn’t wait for me. Joannie and I worked together for 25 years, and remained friends afterwards. She was always the same person. Her radiant smile, and hug, and hello sugar or darling, was something I always looked forward to. My last visit at hospice with her, left me with a new outlook on life. Though she knew death was close to her, she never stopped living. She told me that with Brian now out of med school, she had a little money now. She was going out dancing, shopping, traveling with family and friends, and she was happier than she’d ever been. I couldn’t get over that. She wanted her children to be happy, she wanted the prejudices in the family to cease, and for all her family to come together when she was no longer here, if they couldn’t before. Joannie was a shining light in this world, and my life that went away from us too soon. I’ll miss you my friend, but I know heaven definitely has a place for you. Until we meet again my friend. Love, The Black Jackie. 💞
My thoughts and prayers to her Family and Friends. She was a lady full of joy,laughter, grace. She was funny,loving and
I know that she will be sorely missed. It was a great honor and privilege to be part of her caring team @ Hospice of St. Mary’s.
Thank You to her and her family for allowing me the time to know such a wonderful person. I am better for having her in my
life.
Fae C Baur, LMY