James L. Norris, Jr

James Lee Norris, Jr., 71, of Albany, GA, died September 4, 2016 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. A private graveside funeral service will be held Tuesday at Leesburg Cemetery. A celebration of life service will follow at 2:00 PM at Mathews Funeral Home. Ross Powell will officiate.

A native of Grand Island, NE, Jim moved to Albany, GA with his family early in life. He graduated from Albany High School in 1963, the University of Georgia and served in the United States Army Reserves during Vietnam.

Jim was the owner of Mid-State Pallet, LLC. He was very active in Lee County, GA, where he was a member and Past Chairman of the Lee County Planning Commission, past member of the Lee County Utility Board and the Lee County Board of Elections. He was also a past member of the Sumter County Board of Assessors and was a Baptist by faith.

Survivors include his wife, Diane Norris of Albany, GA, three daughters, Shonda Leigh Betts and her husband, Jeff of Brunswick, GA, Holly Elaine Pierce of Spanish Fort, AL and April Lynn Barnett and her husband, Joey of Dahlonega, GA, his mother, Elaine Olin of Albany, GA, three brothers, Steven L. Norris of Warner Robins, GA, David O. Norris of Noblesville, IN and Scott A. Houston of Tallahassee, FL and Terry Susan Avera of Leesburg, GA and eleven grandchildren.

The family will receive friends following the Celebration of Life Service at Mathews Funeral Home.