Elwanda Norris

Elwanda (Tate) Norris, 92, of Portage, MI passed away peacefully on February 10, 2025 in Lansing, MI after a long and fulfilling life. Elwanda was born on May 2, 1932 in Trumann, Arkansas. She was married to the late Kenneth Norris for 67 years. They began their lives together in Seattle, Washington while he served in the U.S. Army. They would soon relocate to metro-Detroit where Kenneth started his long career at General Motors. In the mid-1960s they settled in Portage, Michigan, where Elwanda worked for Green Bay Packaging for many years until her retirement in 1992. Affectionately known to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as "Granny," Elwanda and "PawPaw" Kenneth traveled extensively during their retirement years, preferring Florida and Las Vegas as their most enjoyed destinations. Elwanda was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth and children Steven, Gayla and Keith. She is survived by daughter-in-law Glynn Norris, grandchildren Christopher (Stephanie) Beck, Katie (Brad) Monastiere, Michelle (Chris) Norris, Jennifer (Mark) Potter, Ashley Andrews and Josayn (Nic) Hemm, 13 great-grandchildren, brother and sister-in-law Jerry and Judy Tate and nieces Kristi Smith and Tennille Qualls. Elwanda will be privately laid to rest with her husband at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hospice of Lansing-Stoneleigh Residence.