Dorothy Woodard Norris

Dorothy Eugenia Woodard Norris, affectionately known as “Dot” passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at the Extended Care Facility after a brief illness. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 25 ^th at 11:00 A.M. at First Baptist Church of Sandersville, with burial in Washington County Memorial Gardens.  Reverend Lee Lacey and Reverend Ron Dixon will officiate. Pallbearers will be Chris Woodard, Edwin Thompson, Freddie Woodard, Gary Bussell, Ronnie May, & Travis Woodard.

Dot was born on May 3, 1925 in Riddleville, Georgia to the late Julian Howard Woodard Sr. and Ora Moye Woodard. After graduating from Davisboro High School, she began a lifelong career as a public servant, first entering a welding program for the war effort.  Upon completion, she worked in the Savannah shipyard, where she help construct the merchant ship “The Martha Berry” commissioned for service in World War II.  After starting her family, she returned to work at Washington County Memorial hospital and eventually moved to the Georgia Department of Transportation, which she retired from after 28 years of service.  In 1983, she was presented with the DOT Commissioner’s Employee of the Year Award.

Dot was a faithful and active member of First Baptist Church of Sandersville, where she participated in the adult Sunday School program and the Joy Club. She had a green thumb and enjoyed working in her yard.  Her favorite pastime was crocheting.  She made countless afghans, sharing them with newborns, friends, family, and those in the community she learned were ill.

She is survived by her sons, Charles W. Norris, Jr and his wife Connie and Wayne Norris and his wife Joy, both of Sandersville; grandchildren, Laura Ashley Bridges and her husband Jeff, Jeff Norris and his wife Lauren, Patrick Norris and his wife Emily, and Dr. Emily Norris; 3 great grandchildren; brother, Fred Woodard and his wife Judy. She was predeceased in death by her husband, Charles Wilson Norris, Sr. and siblings, Alice Woodard Kearse, Howard Woodard, Duran Woodard, and Cecil Woodard.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at May and Smith Funeral Home in Sandersville.

The family will be at the residence of Wayne Norris, 2501 Hwy. 15 North, Sandersville. Donations may be made to First Baptist Church, 316 Mathis Circle, Sandersville, Ga. 31082 or to New Hope United Methodist Church, c/o Sandra Williamson, 6428 Heards Bridge Rd., Bartow, Ga. 30413.

May and Smith Funeral Directors in Sandersville is in charge of these arrangements.
www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com