Laveta Norris

Laveta Byers Norris went to her heavenly home on October 20, 2020 in Kerrville, Texas. Born in Hope, Arkansas on October 14, 1930, she and her twin sister, Juanita, were the second and third of nine children born to Orie O. And Opal Davis Byers. Growing up in a large family in the small town of Hope, Arkansas instilled many strong values in her including faith, hard work, love for family, kindness and selflessness. She graduated from Hope High School in 1950.\r\nShe met her first love, Billy Joe Greeson, and they were wed on August 20, 1950 in Hope, Arkansas. They started their family together and later moved to Lake Charles, Louisiana to raise their three beautiful children: Julie, Billy, and Karla. After her husband, Bill, passed away, she married Luther Milton Norris in 1976.\r\nShe would become Mamaw to five grandchildren over the years, whom she loved as only a grandmother could. She shared baking, bedtime stories and many hugs and kisses through the years. Christmas at Mamaw's was always a special time filled with many fond memories and eating her famous peanut butter balls. As her grandchildren grew to start families of their own, she was always overjoyed with the news of a new great-grandchild.\r\nFor years, she was a beloved member of Boulevard Baptist Church in Lake Charles. Her Christian faith was the cornerstone of her life as she spent her time as a servant of God's Word. At Boulevard Baptist Church, she taught Sunday School, was involved in the Woman's Missionary Union, cooked Wednesday night meals for the congregation, and helped make floral arrangements for church events and services. \r\nHer servant heart extended into her community as well. She was a teacher's aide in the Calcasieu Parish School system for many years. For over 25 years, she enjoyed volunteering for the Lake Charles Memorial Hospital Auxiliary where she used her crafting skills to make many beautiful gifts and floral arrangements. A true joy of hers was putting together boxes for children for Operation Christmas Child through Samaritan's Purse.\r\nLaveta is preceded in death by her parents Orie O. and Opal Davis Byers; her husbands Billy Joe Greeson and Milton Luther Norris; her twin sister Juanita Byers and sister Iris Jean Bohannon; her brothers Raymond Byers, Dorsey Byers, Jerry Byers, and Jimmy Byers.\r\nShe is survived by her children Julie Greeson, Billy Greeson and wife Annette, Karla Greeson Tumminello and husband Buddy, her step-daughter Sandi Norris Frank and husband Stan, her sister Sandra Massanelli and husband Vic, her brother Dubs Byers and wife Jane, her five grandchildren Allison Hilbun and husband Adam, Ashlee Nelson and husband Nick, Emily Carlisle and husband Justin, Jordan Hoyt and wife Christin, Hannah Baker and husband Jeremiah; 8 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.\r\nA graveside service will be held at Memory Gardens in Hope, Arkansas on October 31, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. The service will be led by her brother Dubs Byers. The family invites you to send condolences at www.grimesfuneralchapels.com by selecting the "send condolences" link. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a memorial donation to Samaritan's Purse-Operation Christmas Child. \r\n