Thomas Layne Norris

On February 18, 2023, Thomas "Tommy" Layne Norris, age 61, reached the other side, west of where the sun sets, where rainbows never die. He passed away peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his family. Tommy was a proud father, devoted son, loving brother, and a true friend. He had a kind heart, a caring soul, and would do anything to help those he loved.

Tommy was born to Fulton and Vivian Norris on September 11, 1961, in Greenville, Alabama. He was raised in Luverne, Alabama. As a boy, he was his big brother's shadow and wanted to do everything he did, whether that was teasing their baby sister about snakes under her bed or skipping school in Warrior, Alabama to devise a plan to get back to their "real home" in Luverne. Tommy was cunning and adventurous with many stories to prove it. He loved and admired his father and was daddy's boy through and through. He loved his mother and sister dearly as well.

As an adult, Tommy attended MacArthur for welding and electrical studies. He worked for many years at Capitol Refrigeration. He enjoyed sitting with friends and listening to old vinyl records of his favorite country and western singers. He loved to spend time with his children fishing, riding dirt roads, playing pool, and going on summer vacations. He enjoyed many sports, especially tennis and football. He was a big fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide, but an even bigger fan of his sons and their baseball and football teams. He and his father could often be found on the sidelines of some field cheering on their boys. As much as he loved his boys, his daughter was his baby girl, and he always had the softest spot for her. He was a proud father and grandfather and would take advantage of every chance he got to brag on his children and grandchildren. He loved them all profoundly.

Tommy went by several names over the years-"Tommy" from childhood, "Tom Cat" in early adulthood, and he gave himself the name "Big Daddy" when his children came along. To many friends, he was known simply as "Big Tommy". He loved his friends and their families as if they were his own. If you knew Tommy, then you knew that wherever he was, a good friend and a loyal dog were somewhere close by. Some of the pets he loved most throughout his life were Big Un, Buddy, and Jane.

Tommy is survived by his children, Emily McGough (Jarred), Trent Norris, & Clint Norris (Melinda Gurry); grandchildren, Avery McGough & Rhett McGough; mother, Vivian Thomas Norris; sister, Sandra Kilpatrick (John); nieces & nephews, Nikki Hilburn, Chad Kilpatrick, Eric Bagents, & Tonya Jarman (Mark); and a host of great nieces, great nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles.

He is preceded in death by his father, Thomas Fulton Norris; brother, Mike Norris; niece, Jamie Finlayson; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 22, 2023, from 10:00am to 11:00am in the chapel at Salem Church of Christ. The funeral service will be immediately following at 11:00am in the chapel of Salem Church of Christ. Following the funeral, Tommy will be laid to rest in the Salem Cemetery with his brother and father.

Active pallbearers will be John Kilpatrick, Chad Kilpatrick, Butler Jones, Jarred McGough, Jeffrey Morgan, Billy Snell, & Seyth Snell.