Judy Norris, a loving mother, sister, wife, and friend, passed away on August 12, 2026, after a long battle with dementia. She was born on February 4, 1949, in Montcalm, West Virginia, to Norman Ratcliff and Joyce Pickett.
Judy grew up in a large and loving family in West Virginia. She was preceded in death by her parents, Norman Ratcliff and Joyce Pickett, her stepfather Willie Havens, and her brothers David Ratcliff, David Havens, Craig Havens, and Bernie Ratcliff. Her brother Bernie also passed away after battling dementia.
She is survived by her brother Billy Ratcliff and her sisters Shirley Miller, Bernice Lucado, and Regina Pennington. Her sister Shirley is currently battling dementia in a nursing home.
Judy later moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where she met her husband, Donald Norris Sr. They both worked at General Motors and built a life together. When their son, Donald Norris Jr., turned 18, Judy and Donald legally separated, but they never divorced. They remained close, continued to support one another, and stayed connected as a family until Donald’s passing in April 2017.
After her separation, Judy returned to West Virginia and reunited with the love of her life, where she was happier than she had ever been.
In 2003, her son was involved in a near-life-ending, life-changing accident. Judy made the decision to leave the life she had built and return to North Carolina to care for him. She devoted herself fully to his recovery, nursing him back to health and standing by him through one of the most difficult times of his life.
Judy was a woman who never stopped working. Over the course of her life, she:
- Retired from General Motors
- Earned her cosmetology license
- Owned hair salons and tanning salons
- Ran a food truck
- Worked as a bartender
- Worked outages at Duke Power for 14 years
She was known for her determination, independence, and strong work ethic in everything she did.
One of Judy’s greatest accomplishments was starting Midnight Express LKN, a transportation business created in part from her desire to help prevent drinking and driving, as well as her son’s own experience with a drunk driving accident. The business became something she built with pride and purpose. In her final years, Judy and her son began working together again, with him helping her with daily activities while also supporting the business. Today, her son continues to operate Midnight Express LKN, carrying forward the business and the legacy they built together.
Judy loved her family deeply, but her son was the center of her world. She will be remembered for her strength, hard work, determination, generosity, and unconditional love. Although dementia took much from her in her final years, it could never take away the love she gave, the lives she touched, or the legacy she leaves behind.
A Celebration of Life for Judy Norris will be held at Craven & Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell, West Virginia, at 2:00 PM on September 11, 2026. Family and friends are invited to come together to remember Judy, celebrate her life, and share the memories she left with all who knew and loved her.
Rest peacefully, Mom. You will always be loved, always be remembered, and never be forgotten.
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