Rev. Marshall Leon Norris

Reverend Marshall Leon Norris,56, of Rockingham, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, March 16, 2010. He was born December 13, 1953 in Johnston County, a son of Joseph Leon and Alice Faye Taylor Norris. He served his country during the Vietnam War in the United States Air Force. He earned a bachelors of Arts from William Carter Bible College. Later in life he earned a Masters of Ministry, a Masters of Divinity, and a Doctorate of Ministry from Christian Life School of Theology. At the time of his battle with pancreatic cancer, Rev. Norris was working on his final dissertation to obtain a Doctorate of Divinity from Beacon University in Georgia. During his years of ministry, Reverend Norris served the Church of God of Prophecy as the State Youth Director, Summer Youth Camp Director, member of the State Advisory Board, the Ministerial Review Board and retired in 2009 after 25 years as the State Youth Camp Coordinator. In 1982 he was licensed as a Bishop in the church. Throughout his pastoral years Rev. Norris ministered in Grantham and Laurel Hill. In 1986 he was appointed to Rockingham where he was pastor until his home going. He accomplished many dreams in the local church, the most recent being the constructing of the family life center, which he worked hard for many years to have for the church. During his years in Rockingham he was very active in the community serving as a Chaplain of Richmond Memorial Hospital, on the National Day of Prayer Committee, Assistant Chaplain of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Department, with special interest in the SRT team. One of his greatest enjoyments was being Chaplain for the North Carolina State Highway Patrol in Richmond and Scotland County. He had a shepherd’s heart loving, caring and helping people no matter who they were. He loved horses and the outdoors. He had a love of doing remodeling and various projects. Many affectionately remember him as the “preacher with the big hands” or his special Bar-be-que and his love of cooking. He had a passionate love for his church softball boys, Tar Heel sports, especially basketball and Richmond Raider football. A celebration of his life will be held Friday at Noon at the Church of God of Prophecy in Rockingham. Burial will be private in his hometown. He is survived in addition to his parents by his wife of 35 years Wanda Robinson Norris, son Marcus Norris of Rockingham; brothers Mike Norris, Jeff Norris and wife LeAnn, sister Cynthia Holcomb and husband Tom, sister-in-law Sharon Bunce, father-in-law Guy Robinson, all of Johnston County. Nephew and nieces Brent Norris, Amanda Bunce, Allison Holcomb, and Sydney Norris. Numerous uncles, aunts, and cousins. Rev. Norris leaves behind many close and dear friends throughout the world especially his trooper friends. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 8:00 pm Thursday at the Church of God of Prophecy on Flowers Street in Rockingham. The family wishes to thank everyone for their acts of love and kindness shown to them and to the medical staff of the VA hospital for the care they ministered to Rev Norris. The family asks memorial contributions instead of floral tributes please be sent to the Church of God of Prophecy, Building Fund, 139 Flowers St. Rockingham, NC 28379.