Erby Reece Norton of Statesville, N.C., has gone to the home the Lord prepared for him and to join his loving wife Louise, who passed in 2016. Erby was born Friday, October 15, 1926, and passed away at Gordon Hospice House on Tuesday, December 29, 2020, at the age of 94.

Erby was raised in Stony Point and attended Scotts School. He served in the U.S. Army in the late 1940s, spending time in Italy, and he maintained a friendship with his Army buddies over the years.

Erby was preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, Louise Deal Norton, and his parents, Elmer and Cora Norton; brothers Lee Norton and Roy Norton; and sister Helen McNeely.

He is survived by two children, Melvin Norton (Janice) and Wanda Babb (Till), who will always be honored to call him our Dad. He was proud of his four grandchildren April, Christina, Brandon and Casey, and his six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister-in-law and many nieces and nephews from the Norton and Deal family.

Erby was a loving and hardworking man. During his life, he farmed, worked in manufacturing, sold shoes, worked at Fiber Industries and then later retired from GE plant in Hickory after 19 years. Erby and Louise loved their friends and loved to travel around the U.S. visiting people and seeing the sites during their life. As many know, Erby always stayed busy with used car sales, Sears products or zero-turn lawn mowers. He loved to work in his shop and enjoyed the many friends that stopped by to chat. He was always filled with wisdom and humor that drew people to him.

Erby was a faithful member of Midway United Methodist Church and then Monticello United Methodist Church. He loved his church family.

A Private Graveside will be conducted at Stony Point Cemetery. Rev. Amy Spivey will officiate. There will be no formal visitation.

Memorials can be made to Monticello United Methodist Church general fund, 308 Island Ford Road, Statesville, NC 28625.

Chapman Funeral Home is serving the family.