HAMLET — Marcus Edward Norton Sr., born in Scotland County on April 27, 1930, died peacefully March 22, 2022 at Hospice Haven, Richmond County at age 91.
He was the son of Daniel May Norton and Mamie Peele Brown Norton.
His ancestors were some of the earliest settlers in the sand hills of Richmond County, later Scotland County.
He grew up on a small farm and lived a simple modest life. He married the true love of his life, Nancy Steen of Hamlet. They were married for 72 years. Together they had four children, daughter Janet Laurel Norton Packer (Gary) of Hamlet, and sons Marcus Edward Norton Jr. (Janet) of Laurel Hill, Michael Alan Norton (Carol) of Hamlet, Phillip Daniel Norton of Laurel Hill; five grandchildren, Brittany Norton Brady (Matthew), Chelsey Packer, Laurel Packer, Marcus Edward Norton III, Alison (Ali) Norton, Anna Norton; two great-grandchildren, Isaiah Brady and Destiny Packer; and an extended family of several special nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.
Marcus was a member of Old Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church during his early years, later First Presbyterian Church, Hamlet.
He honorably served his country during the Korean conflict in the U.S. Army 502 Infantry Screaming Eagles, later in the 49th Engineering Company. After high school he attended Richmond Technical Institute studying business administration.
His career spanned two decades of working in management with Americana Homes, Ritz-Craft Homes, Crestline Homes and Clark Equipment Company before becoming a trainman with CSX Railroad in Hamlet. He retired from CSX Railroad in 1991.
He was preceded in death by his father, his mother; his daughter-in-law, Caroline Furr Norton; his sisters, Helen Brown Clark, Nora Norton Sheppard and Mary Norton Rosa.
Marcus was known for always having a keen memory and would fondly share his life’s stories with his family and friends. He also loved to talk about his old memories of Camp Mackall Airfield watching the gliders flying around. He loved baseball, gardening, World War II history, NASCAR racing, reading, and country music. He loved restoring old Sears tractors and always took great pride in his trucks and autos, keeping them in excellent running condition. He taught his children to be good stewards of the land for generations to come.
A funeral service will be conducted Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 3 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Hamlet with CLP Belinda Rice officiating. Burial will follow at Richmond Co. Memorial Park with military honors. The family will receive friends from 1:30-2:45 p.m. at the church.
Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church 200 Rice St. Hamlet, NC 28345; or Richmond Co. Hospice 1119 US Hwy. 1 N Rockingham.
Online condolences may be made at watson-kingfuneralhome.com. Watson-King Funeral Home in Hamlet is serving the Norton family.
