Abe Norton

Abe Norton, 80, of Anna, passed away at 6:17 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015 holding hands with his wife, surrounded by his family. He was born March 12, 1935 in Anna, the son of Don Carlos and Edna Mae (Hartline) Norton. He married JoAnn Pirtle on March 22, 1958 in Corinth, Mississippi.

He is survived by his loving wife, JoAnn Pirtle Norton of Anna; daughter, Cindy (Gene) Hammer of Jonesboro; sons, Steve (Kim) Norton of McKinney, Texas, Chris (Christy) Norton of Cookeville, Tennessee, grandchildren, Sara (John) Schmitz, Austin (Sabrina) Norton, Jared and Ethan Norton, Alexa (Ryne) Gipson; great-granddaughters, Alyssa Schmitz and Ellie Norton; brother in law, Jerry Pirtle of Ozark, Illinois; niece and nephew, Amanda Pirtle and John Pirtle; other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister in law, Marjorie Vinson Pirtle.

Loving, affectionate, dependable, encouraging and a man of his faith describes Abe. He was a farmer, and truck driver, driving over one million miles over the road. He was a cook at Choate Mental Health for 17 years before retirement. He served his country in the United States Army peace time reserves.

He was a longtime member of the Kiwanis and an elder of the First Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Anna. He served in Men's Life, men's Sunday school class and the men's coffee "group" at the Burger King in Anna. He attended General Assembly EPC over the years in several states.

He was most proud of his children and grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015 in the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Alto Pass with Rev. Jonathan Whitley and Paul Tirey officiating. Interment was in the Alto Pass Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, at Abe's request, memorial contributions may be made to the First Evangelical Presbyterian Church Building Fund or Celtic Ho Hospice. Envelopes will be available in the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Alto Pass.

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<p align="center">RENDLEMAN & HILEMAN FUNERAL HOME

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Abe Norton