Ina Grace Feezel Norris

Born in the Byrd’s community of Sevier County, on October 16, 1926, Mrs. Ina Grace Feezel Norris peacefully passed away at home on May 22, 2025 , surrounded by loved ones.

She graduated from Sevier County High School at the age of 16 and received her teaching certification. She taught in two schools in Sevier County, Byrds grades 1-3 and Fox’s grades 1-8 leading the boys basketball team to a county championship during World War II. After being a stay-at-home mother and substitute teacher at Chestnut Hill Elementary School for many years, she returned to teaching as a Teachers’ Assistant at Chestnut Hill Elementary until it closed. She then became a Teachers’ Assistant at Dandridge Elementary School until her husband’s health demanded her undivided attention.

After her marriage in 1941, she transferred her life-long membership from Burchfiel United Methodist Church where she served as Treasurer, Secretary, and Sunday School Teacher - to Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church. She served in many roles including Sunday School teacher of every class at one time or another, with the exception of the Men’s Class. She was Membership Chair and served in every officer position in the United Methodist Women. She was instrumental in the establishment of the Clothes Closet Ministry which is still in operation.

Along with her husband, Stanley, she worked hard many years, mainly running the concession stand, at the Chestnut Hill Charity Horse Show from its inception with her dear friends of the Chestnut Hill Community. She worked many summers “putting up” apples just for the famous

Chestnut Hill Charity Horse Show fried pies. She was an avid UT Vols fan, especially Men’s Basketball. She watched almost every Mens and Lady Vols Basketball game as well as the football games.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Stanley Norris; parents, E.C. (Clarence) and Mae Finchum Feezel; sons-in-law, Swann Dance, Jr. and Jack C. Bush; sister Flora Faye Feezel Hill and brother-in law Talmadge (Flick) Hill; brother Everett Feezel and sister-in-law Fannie Thomas Feezel; and dearest friends/family Jack T. and Eugenia Bush.

She is survived by her children: Dr. Norma Catherine (Cathy) Bush, Newport, TN; Rebecca Annette (Becky) Boggan and Dr. Charlie W. Boggan, Chestnut Hill, TN; Richard Craig Norris and Elizabeth (Beth) McNabb Norris, Knoxville, TN; Grandchildren: Kristi and Chris Kinkead, Chestnut Hill, TN; Rob and Crystal Dorner, Hollywood, SC; Megan and Derrick Stinson, Sevierville, TN; Stan and Sara Norris, Murfreesboro, TN; Allie Elizabeth Norris, Knoxville, TN;

Joel and Lin Boggan, Durham, NC; and Neil and Sabrenna Boggan, Memphis, TN; Great-grandchildren: Marina Oakes-Kinkead, Willis Oakes and LexieJones, Daniel Stinson, Ethan Stinson, Grayson Dorner, Aiden Stanley Norris, Jonathan Zamora, Elliot Boggan, Khai Boggan, Min Virgina Boggan, and Theo Boggan; Nephews: Gary McKay(Cynthia) and Dale Hil(Peggy). Great-niece: Sydney McKay Whitice (David); Special friends: Eutha Welch, Brenda Dockery, Sue Henry, Geraldine and Bill George, Janice Byrd, Evelyn Reece, Tena and Larry Walker, Terry and Pat Thornton, Tammy Waters , Carol Wiley, Ruth Hamilton, Robbie and Brandy Reece, Roger and Regina Thornton, Jeff and Debbie Thornton and families, Edward Kirkland and Debbie, Jerry Fox, and Richard Shrader, along with many other cousins and friends; Caregivers (Our Angels): Lecole Coker, Paige Coker, and Vera Norton.

The family expresses their immense gratitude to Smoky Mountain Hospice, especially to “My favorite Nurse”, Tuan Fine, Chaplain Danny Hill, and Shanna Lunsford, Social Worker.

Her grandsons and nephews will serve as pallbearers, with honorary pallbearers being the Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church Adult Sunday School Class and the UMW.

The family will receive friends from 1PM to 3PM on Monday, May 26, 2025, at Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church. The funeral service will begin at 3PM with the Reverend Stacey Morgan presiding and Dr. Charlie Boggan participating. Interment will follow at Byrd’s Church Cemetery, Sevierville, TN.

In lieu of flowers as per Ina’s specific request, the family also suggests memorials be made either to Chestnut Hill United Church, 2416 Chestnut Hill Church Road, Dandridge, TN 37725 or to Byrd’s Cemetery, c/o of Dale Hill, 3858 Byrd’s Cross Road, Sevierville, TN 37876.

Farrar Funeral Home of Dandridge is honored to serve the Norris Family.