The late Pastor, Larry Norris, was born July 6, 1949 in Jefferson County, Alabama to the Late Willie Norris and Mattie Ware. He confessed Hope in Christ at an early age and joined the 6th Avenue Beulah Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Samuel Marshall. He served faithfully on the #2 Usher Board as well as a member of the Male Chorus. He also served as assistant superintendent of the Sunday School. He attended the Bessemer City School System and is a 1967 Graduate of J.S. Abrams High School. After High School, he joined the U. S. Army and was stationed in Germany with the USA Men Basketball team. After his time in the military, he held various jobs in the Bessemer area. He found the perfect job with the U. S. Postal Service as a mail carrier. He would serve the postal service well for over 40 years. He made many friends along his mail routes, who would eventually become a part of his Christian family. He entered into Holy matrimony to his devoted “Lyn” Linda Gail Lucas, where she remained faithfully by his side until the end. He completed his Bachelors of Arts in Theology degree from the Birmingham Baptist Easonian College. He answered GOD’s call into the ministry in October 1992, delivering his first sermon at 6th Ave Beulah in the presence of family and a multitude of friends. He was elected as the Pastor of Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in 1998, where he served the Church with full conviction and was faithful until his passing. To his credit, Pastor Norris was instrumental in the leading may souls to Christ. He was a father to many and mentored countless ministers in the Faith. He was preceded in death by his heaven-sent father, Rev. Johnnie Ware, his brothers Willie Earl and Rodney Norris, sisters, Annette Bell and Michelle Ware, aunt Lula Hines, and uncle Peter Hines. He leaves to cherish his memories, a loving, devoted wife, Linda Norris; one son, Jordan Norris of Bessemer, Alabama; three daughters, Jacquies (Michael) Kennedy of Bessemer, Alabama, Tameka (Rev. Angelo) Hines, of Mc Calla, Alabama, and Erica (Michael) Ware; his beloved mother, Ms. Mattie Ware of Bessemer, Alabama; three Sisters, Jacqueline (Steve) Watkins, Carolyn Norris, and Tonnette Ware all of Bessemer, Alabama; 3 sister-in-laws, Carolyn Lucas, of Bessemer, Alabama, Gina Lucas, and Bernetta Davis of Birmingham, Alabama; one brother, Pastor Tony (Sylvia) Ware; 3 Brother-in-laws, Steven Lucas, Anthony Lucas of Bessemer, and Ronald (Dorothy) Lucas of Mc Calla, Alabama; Four very special lifelong friends, Chuck Hall, David Bell, Sydney Austin and Pastor William Scott; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
