Alease Gwendolyn Norris

Alease Gwendolyn Norris age 90 of Maryville, passed away Thursday, January 22, 2015. She was a member of First Methodist Church of Maryville and Trinity Lutheran Church in Ashland, OH. Gwen's first love was always family. Her endless devotion to her husband Bob and to all of the family was boundless. A music and voice major at University of South Carolina, Gwen had a passion for music. As a young adult, Gwen and her sisters, Carolyn and Hulda, sang church hymnals on the radio. They often harmonized at the services where their brother Robert, preached. In 1978 Gwen & Dorothy Reader co-founded the Ashland Women's Symphony League. This fund raising organization raised $18,000.00 for the orchestra this year. Gwen sang in church choirs and was actively involved with the Cleveland Orchestra, Blossom Music Center, and the Knoxville Symphony. Her keen interest in traveling, fashion and various charity work kept her busy. Gwen's fulfillment in life was definitely found in helping others. Preceded in death by: Grandparents, Mattie Royal & James Thomas Salter and Amanda Justice & Bartow Cochran; Parents, Robert Franklin Cochran and Romania Ruth Cochran; Brothers, Edward Cochran and Paden Cochran. Survivors include: Husband, Robert Norris; Sons and Daughter-in-law, Al Zehner and Greg & Kandy Zehner; Daughters & Son-in-law, Hulda Rae Riepenhoff and Nancy Anne & Doug Dixon; Grandchildren, Ben & John Zehner, Eli & Mason Zehner, Jaime, Ryan, & Drew Pfost, John (Jay) Riepenhoff; Great-Grandchildren, Lilly Pfost, Gage & Emma Zehner, Zachary & Michael Zehner, Landon, Holden, Lucas & Dylan Zehner; Brother, Robert Cochran; Sisters, Carolyn Wonders and Hulda Arant. Funeral service will be at 1:00 PM, Sunday, February 1, 2015 at First United Methodist Church of Maryville with Catherine Nance officiating. Family will assemble for interment at 3:00 PM, Sunday, February 1, 2015 at Grandview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: Kindred Care, 1012 Jamestown Way, Maryville, TN 37803 in memory of Gwen Norris. Family will receive friends from 4:00 until 6:00 PM, Saturday, January 31, 2015 at First United Methodist Church of Maryville. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Alease Gwendolyn Norris please visit our Sympathy Store.