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Norris Devon Graves, 93 of Saucier, passed away Tuesday evening, June 8th at The Carpenter House in Gulfport. He was born December 29, 1927 in Bogalusa, LA, the oldest of four children to Troy Norris and Zellie Mae (Thomas) Graves. The family had a small farm in the Bogalusa area and growing up during the great depression and World War II, Norris knew what hard work was all about. The family raised as much of their own food as possible, both meat and vegetables as well. Norris enlisted in the US Navy in June of 1945, reporting for active duty later that month to the Naval Training Center in San Diego, CA at 5'6" tall, weighing 118lbs. He served aboard a few ships, including the battleship USS Texas, transporting WWII soldiers from Hawaii back to California. Honorably discharged 11 months later as a Fireman Second Class, he remained in the US Navy Reserves. In September 1951, Norris was recalled to active duty, serving aboard the USS Redpole (AMS-57), sweeping for mines in the Gulf of Mexico. Norris was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1952, standing 5'8" tall and weighing 150lbs. He was a true patriot that loved serving his country and had many stories to share with friends and family over the years. As his ship was coming into New Orleans, he saw the Kaiser Aluminum smokestack in Chalmette. Someone mentioned they were hiring so Norris went down and applied. He was hired, bought a home for his family in Chalmette and remained at Kaiser for 32 years, retiring from Kaiser and moving to Mandeville for a while. Later he relocated back to the Graves' family homestead in Bogalusa, where he thoroughly enjoyed farming, gardening and animal husbandry. Norris was the type to always plant far more than his family needed, just to have plenty to share with friends and neighbors. In 2011 he moved to Saucier to be closer to his daughters. He became active with the Lyman and Saucier Senior groups, taking trips, going on outings and even learning to play the dulcimer. Norris was a Christian by faith, attending Northwood early on and Robinwood Baptist Church more recently. He is remembered as a kind, generous man with the sweetest spirit about him. He possessed a distinguishable laugh and loved to use it. A loving father and grandfather, he will be forever missed by all those whose life he touched. He was preceded by his father Troy Norris Graves and his mother Zellie Mae Matherne; one sister Shirley Argiz and a brother E.L. Graves. Left to cherish his memories are: his three daughters, Sherry Stork of Gautier, Patricia (Mike) Miller of Biloxi and Sheila (John) Pope of Lyman; and his one remaining sister, Jeri Peek of Maypearl, TX. Norris leaves a legacy of six grandchildren, ten great-grands and a host of extended family, friends and neighbors through the years. The family has set services for Tuesday, June 15th at Trinity Funeral Services in McHenry. Visitation will begin at 10:30 am, followed by a chapel service at 11:30 am. Afterward, Norris will be laid to rest at Biloxi National Cemetery with US Navy Honors. Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Graves family, asking everyone to keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this trying time.
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