John Abell Norris

John Abell Norris, lovingly referred to as Sprout, Abell-Toots, Pop Pop, and Dad, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at his home in Hollywood, Maryland on March 29, 2026, at the age of 95. John was born September 29, 1930, to the late William Richley and Mary Catherine Abell Norris. On April 11, 1955, he married Lillian Farr Norris. Together they built a home on the Norris family farm. John attended St. John’s Catholic School followed by Margaret Brent and for employment held several jobs throughout his lifetime. He was a full-time farmer and while farming held several part-time jobs. He drove the school bus for St. John’s Catholic School, was a truck driver for Mokley Mattingly, and performed lawn work for Lester Mattingly. He transitioned to full-time employment with Dean and Beavers until he found his professional calling working for the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA). John began work with the SHA as a laborer, advancing to a heavy equipment operator, and retired after 31 years on June 30, 1992, as a Facilities Maintenance Technician III. Throughout all of this he maintained his commitment to farming. John was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend. He will be remembered by his hours spent in the lattice house swing listening to music, sitting on the porch resting, or visiting with family, and his love of dancing and listening to live music weekly at Cryer’s Back Road Inn. The family will cherish memories related to his love of Honey Nut Cheerios for breakfast every morning (his secret to a long life), his dedication to mowing the lawn until it shined green to perfection, and his always dependable nature. He is survived by his children, Bonnie Jean Lemonds and Mary Lillian Wise (Raymond), his grandchildren, Joshua Wise, Crystal Sexton, and Jennifer Wise, and his great-grandson, Kevin Bates, Jr. He is also survived by his sisters, Dolores Wheeler and Betty Jean Guy (Lenny). He is proceeded in death by his wife, brothers, Dickie Norris, Bobby Norris, Charles Norris, Philip Norris, and George Norris, and his young daughter, Grace Ann. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with prayers recited at 6:00 PM, in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 10:00 AM at St John’s Catholic Church, Hollywood, MD, with Rev. Ray Schmidt officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Joshua Wise, Kevin Bates, Jr., Tommy Wheeler, Phil Norris, Glenn Norris, Steven Norris, Ricky Guy, and Len Guy. Honorary pallbearers will be Crystal Sexton and Jennifer Wise. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of St. Mary’s, St. John’s Catholic Church, HVRS, or HVFD. Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.