Charles Edward "Edd" Norris Jr.

Charles Edward “Edd” Norris, Jr. of Culloden passed away Wednesday, October 13, 2021. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, October 15, 2021 at the Culloden City Cemetery. Elder Matt Yawn will officiate. Due to Covid-19 there will not be a formal visitation but the family and close friends will gather for lunch at The Barn in Culloden prior to the services. Mr. Norris was born April 14, 1932 in Camilla, Georgia to the late Charles E. Norris, Sr. and Ethel Phillips Norris Holton. He attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and the University of Georgia. Mr. Norris was a faithful member of the Culloden Primitive Baptist Church for 52 years and served as a Deacon in the church for 50 years. He was a Boy Scout Leader with Culloden Troop 121 and Forsyth Troop 51 for 14 years and was the Cub Scout Master for Pack 51 for 7 years. Mr. Norris served as a Culloden City Councilman for 6 years, City Clerk for 1 ½ years and Mayor for 18 years. In 2007 the City dedicated the Council Room in his honor. In 2021 the City named the road leading to the Culloden Fire Department Edd Norris Drive. He served diligently as a member of the governing body of the Middle Georgia Regional Commission (MGRC) and its predecessor agencies for a period spanning over 22 years. Mr. Norris was instrumental in the creation of the City of Culloden Volunteer Fire Department in 1973 and later in the merge with the Monroe County Fire County Department. He served as an active volunteer fireman for over 40 years. Mr. Norris served as a board member of the Middle Georgia Area Planning and Development Commission (MGAPDC) for 13 years from 1975 until 1989. After the Georgia Planning Act of 1989 changed the state’s Area Planning and Development Commissions (APDCs) into Regional Development Centers, Mr. Norris served as an inaugural board member of the Middle Georgia Regional Development Center (MGRDC) in 1990. Mr. Norris served also served as a Council member for the MGRDC successor agency, the Middle Georgia Regional Commission (MGRC), from 2011 to 2019. He was awarded a Service Resolution by the MGRC Council on February 14, 2019, for his dedicated service to the City of Culloden, Monroe County and the greater Middle Georgia region. Mr. Norris also worked the MGRC to initiate and coordinate important planning, community development, historic preservation and grant application services for the City while serving as Mayor of Culloden. He was awarded the Wal Mart American Hometown Leadership Award in 1998 for his years of work in the community. He retired from Robins Air Force Base as an Engineering Technician and was a veteran of the United States Army serving during the Korean Conflict. Mr. Norris was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years Jeanelle Bennett Norris, his parents, his grandson M.C. Deputy Michael Norris, sisters Lewellyn N. Carlisle and Gloria N. Harris and brother-in-law Billy Bennett. He is survived by son, Bennett Norris (Fran) and daughter, Kathy Norris Welch (Darrell) of Culloden; grandchildren Brandon Norris (Charlotte) and Dustin Welch (Michelle) of Culloden and Nicholas Welch (Katherine) of Statesboro; great grandchildren Isabella Norris, Sydnee Norris, Cheyenne Welch, Owen Welch (all of Culloden) and Michael Welch (of Statesboro) and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Culloden Primitive Baptist Church, c/o Warren Bennett, 4990 Hwy 83 South, Culloden, GA 31016. Monroe County Memorial Chapel has charge of arrangements.