Ruby P Morgan

Carl Martin Norton, 84, of Cleveland, passed away Tuesday, May 19, 2009. He was born November 13, 1924 in Estill, SC. He was a 1941 graduate of Estill High School. He attended Clemson University from 1941 until 1943 before serving during World War II in the U. S. Army in India and Okinawa from 1943 through 1946. He then returned to college and completed his degree in chemistry at Clemson, graduating in 1948. Mr. Norton retired from Bowater Paper Company after 33 years, and prior to that worked at St. Joe Paper Company, Port St. Joe, FL. He was an ordained deacon and an active member of Westwood Baptist Church for 45 years serving in many capacities. He was an active volunteer and community supporter until the time of his death. Mr. Norton was a member of the Ruritan National Club for 42 years where he served as Club President, Club Secretary, District Governor and as National Director. Mr. Norton was a member of AARP, Chapter 3412 (Bradley/Cleveland) where he served several terms as President. He was the chairman of the Bradley/Cleveland Committee on Aging and a board member of the Southeast Tennessee Committee on Aging. Mr. Norton authored newsletters for the Senior Activity Center, AARP, Ruritan Club, and Bowater retirees. He wrote the "Senior Moments" column weekly for the Cleveland Daily Banner. He enjoyed his family, photography, volunteering, gardening and travel. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Susan Eileen Norton, his father, Carl Martin Norton, Sr. and mother, Kathleen Hall Norton. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Betty Sue Watts Norton; children, Sam Norton and Judy Norton of Gulfport, MS and Scott Norton and wife, Merietta of Baton Rouge, LA; grandchildren, Jessica and Chevis Jackson of Mandeville, LA, Sarah and Don Blakeney of Hattiesburg, MS, Emily Norton of New Orleans, LA, and Kirkley and Lynley Norton of Baton Rouge, LA; and great grandson, Caleb Blakeney of Hattiesburg, MS. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 22, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with Pastors Jim Caywood, Harold Smith and Steve Best officiating. Interment will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 23, 2009 in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Believers Sunday School class of Westwood Baptist Church. The service will conclude with a white dove release ceremony. The family will receive friends on Friday, May 22, 2009 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Westwood Baptist Church and Bradley/Cleveland Senior Activity Center, Cleveland Tennessee. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Norton family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.