Frances O. (Ouzts) Norris
December 22, 1923 to February 1, 2012
Frances Ouzts Norris, 88, of Anderson, died peacefully in her sleep early Wednesday morning, February 1, 2012.
Fran was born December 22, 1923, in Minden, Louisiana, to the late George and Vera Ouzts. She was the second of five children. Fran loved school, and at the age of 16, she was valedictorian of her graduating class at Ruston High School, Ruston, Louisiana. Soon after enrolling at Louisiana Tech, she met Vern Norris at the Church of God in Ruston, and they were married in 1943. While Vern was stationed on Guam during World War II, she graduated from Louisiana Tech and began working in the accounting department at Esso in Baton Rouge. After Vern's discharge from military service, he enrolled at L.S.U., and Fran continued working at Esso until he completed his bachelor's degree. They both attended Anderson College, Anderson, IN, for one year (1948-49) to earn BTh degrees in Christian Education. For the next ten years, while Vern was continuing graduate study and teaching at Southern Methodist University, Fran held accounting positions at firms in Baton Rouge, Dallas, and Chicago. Vern accepted a teaching position at Anderson University in 1958, and for several years, Fran worked for Pay Less Supermarkets in their payroll department.
Fran was involved in several church and community activities. She assisted Vern in establishing the Truthfinders Sunday School Class for newly-weds and engaged couples at Park Place Church of God in January, 1960. She and Vern led Tri-S groups for Anderson University students in Japan, Australia, Africa, Hawaii, and Panama; they also enjoyed taking part in several Tri-S trips abroad for Anderson University faculty and staff. They were actively involved in a Quest Group that has been meeting monthly for approximately fifty-three years. Fran has always been an avid reader, she enjoyed playing games and working crossword puzzles, and she pieced and hand-quilted many beautiful quilts. She was a wonderful wife for 68 1/2 years and a loving mother for daughters Diana and Gayle. She thoroughly enjoyed their many family camping vacations in state parks in Indiana, Kentucky and across the country from Connecticut to California.
Preceding Fran in death were her parents, George and Vera Ouzts; two sisters, Geraldine Shaw and Nell McManus; one nephew, Bob Shaw; two brothers-in-law, Bob Reed and Alex Shaw and one sister-in-law, Betty Ouzts.
She is survived by her husband, Vern Norris; their two daughters, Diana (husband Jeff) Bowen, and Gayle Bauer; a grandson, John Bauer; one sister, Martha Reed (husband, Walt Neace); one brother, Paul Ouzts; a brother-in-law, Jim McManus; several nieces and nephews; and many wonderful friends.
A Memorial services for Fran will be at 11:00 A.M., Thursday, February 9, at Park Place Church of God, 501 College Drive, in Anderson. Visitation will be in the Bessie Byrum Lounge 9:30 to 10:50 am before the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to Anderson University for the Vern and Fran Norris Scholarship Fund, 1100 East Fifth Street, Anderson, IN 46012-3495. The fund provides scholarships for deserving students majoring in Family Science.
E-mail condolences may be sent to [email protected].