Nettie Ruth Hankal Norris

Nettie 'Ruth'? Hankal Norris, age 89, went home to be with the Lord on January 22, 2012 in the NHC Nursing Center. Ruth was born on August 11, 1922 in Johnson City, TN. She grew up in the Boones Creek community, and was a graduate of Boones Creek High School. Ruth was married in 1943 to the late Samuel Norris. They were married for 40 years until his death in 1983. She has been retired for several years after working around forty years alongside her late husband, Sam, at their grocery store, Sams Market in the Keystone area in Johnson City. Ruth loved working at the market and made many dear friends while working there. She was a Christian and in her early years attended Boones Creek Christian Church and in her later years she attended Boone Trail Baptist Church as long as her health permitted. After she retired, she attended and participated in activities at The Johnson City Senior Citizens Center and particularly enjoyed singing in their choir. She also enjoyed and participated in various activities at the nursing center and attended church services there. She loved reading her Bible and novels, and visiting with her friends and family. Ruth was the daughter of the late Albert H. and Hazel Taylor Hankal. She was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Norris, two sisters, Lena 'Dolly'? Margaret Hylton and Ada Hankal Monroe, and three brothers, Fred Hankal, Jack Hankal, and Walter Hankal, all of Johnson City. She was also preceded in death by two nieces, Gail Monroe Hooks, and Teresa Hankal Sanders, and a nephew, Terry Hankal. Survivors include two brothers and sister-in-laws, Jim and Wanda Hankal and Larry and Mary Ellen Hankal both of Johnson City, a foster son and his wife Alfred and Patsy Crum, several nieces and nephews: Shelia Hylton Jones of Greeneville, Rev. David Hankal of Mountain City, Janet Winegar, Kenneth Hylton, Keith Hylton, Gary Monroe, Tim Hankal, Brenda Hankal, Judy Hankal, all of Johnson City, several great nieces and nephews, and several great great nieces and nephews, and two very special friends, Thelma Depriest her best friend and roommate of 3 years at NHC Nursing Center and Betty Morrison, who visited her everyday. The family also wishes to express gratitude to all the nurses and caretakers at NHC who lovingly cared for Ruth. The funeral service for Nettie 'Ruth'? Hankal Norris will be conducted at 8 PM Wednesday, January 25, 2012 in the Morris-Baker South Chapel. Ruths nephew, Rev. David Hankal, will officiate. The graveside committal service will be conducted at 11 AM Thursday in the Monte Vista Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Keith Hylton, Kenneth Hylton, David Jones, Gary Monroe, Carl Little and Tony Peterson. Minister, family and friends are requested to meet at the funeral home by 10:30 AM Thursday to go in procession to the cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM Wednesday prior to the service.