Mr. Charles Grady Norton, 93, longtime resident of McMinnville, was born Aug. 7, 1924 in Tippah County, Miss., and died April 10, 2018 at NHC in McMinnville after a brief illness.
He was preceded in death by his wife Pauline Priddy Norton, parents, Grady Falkner and Ada Nance Norton, son Charles Michael Norton, brothers Lee, John, and Allan Norton, and sister Viola Norton Voyles.
He is survived by one daughter Patricia Bryan and husband, Wesley, five grandchildren Joseph (Amanda) Collier, Sarah (Brad) Harris, William (Becky) Collier, Ben (Jeannie) Norton and William Norton, one daughter-in-law Susan Norton, three step-grandchildren Shanelle (Kyle) Gray, Leslie (Emil) Congdon and Claire Wallace and 15 great-grandchildren Grady, Lyla, Adeline, Sam, Clara, Mary, Max, Elliott, Miles, Bryleigh, Bridger, Porter, Virginia, Boone, and Wallace. Mr. Norton is also survived by one sister Louise (Buddy) Horton and sisters-in-law Aline Norton, Diann Priddy, and Sylvia Priddy.
Mr. Norton finished high school at age 16 in 1941, enrolled in Radio School in Tupelo, Miss., where he met his future wife, Pauline Priddy. After Dec. 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor, the school closed and soon Charles joined the Army Air Corp and was assigned to the 56th Fighter Group, spending 2 ½ years in England and six months in Germany.
Charles and Pauline married April 7, 1946 and had two children, Pat and Mike. Pat was a math teacher before retiring in 2009, and Mike was a corporate attorney in Nashville with Bone, McAllester, Norton until his passing in 2015.
Mr. Norton worked for General Shoe Company (later Genesco) from 1952 till 1987. Upon his “retirement” he worked in the TN American Legion office in Nashville as the Executive Adjutant for seven and one-half years and retired at age 70.
Mr. Norton has been a faithful servant to the United Methodist Church, serving as youth counselor, president of the Methodist Men, president of the Warren County Laity, preparing breakfast for the Breakfast Rotary Club, preparing and delivering Good Neighbors meals, Shut-in Communion and on several boards and committees, most recently on the Shepherding Team visiting shut-ins.
Mr. Norton has been a longtime member of American Legion, serving on the Honor Guard, has participated in around 600 services by folding and presenting the flag to the family, Local Post adjutant, and Commander, District Commander, Divisional Commander, TN State Commander, along with being a member of the National Executive Committee. He and Pauline accumulated over 1,450 hours of service to the Alvin C. York Medical VA Center. He has spoken at schools and organizations about Americanism and flag etiquette and was very involved with Boys State and placing flags on veterans graves at Gardens of Memory for Memorial Day.
He worked the elections polls and early voting for many years and came to know the people of Warren County. Mr. Norton has been recognized by the Rotary Club with the Paul Harris Award, The Exchange Club’s Community Service Award, and Book of Golden Deeds.
Visitation will be Thursday, April 12, from 1 to 9 p.m., at McMinnville Funeral Home and again Friday, April 13 from 11 a.m. until the time of service at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church. Pastor Tommy Vann will officiate. Military grave rites will be administered and interment will follow at Gardens of Memory Cemetery on Morrison Highway. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church Mission Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.mcminnvillefuneralhome.com.
McMinnville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
