Rex Samuel Norris

Heaven just became a lot more fun.  Rex S. Norris, age 91, arrived at 9:50 pm on Friday night, May 29, 2026, and heaven is in for a treat!

Rex was born June 13, 1934, to Seth Samuel and Mamie (Frazier) outside of Mt. Vernon in Hamilton.  He attended primary school at Hamilton and high school in Mt. Vernon, graduating at 16 in 1951.  He later attended East Texas Teachers College in Commerce before returning to help at home.

In 1956 he got lucky and married Barbara Conley, and they were quite the team until her death in 2021.

Rex was drafted into the “war” (his word) in 1957.  He saw active duty at a typewriter in Germany.  He was injured there when a roll top desk fell on his sleeping face and broke his nose.

In 1959 he returned from the war.  Barbara had her first teaching job in Lone Star and he joined her there.  He found work at Lone Star Steel after pretending he knew something about electricity.  That was his modus operandi, fake it and then figure it out.

Their daughter, Tammy, was born in late 1957, and their son, Randy, followed in 1961.

Rex worked for many years at LSS and later started a pipe service business.  In later years, he ran the maintenance department at Daingerfield ISD.

In 1994, Rex and Barbara retired to her family’s farm which had been in the family since 1850.  There they had a big garden, raised cows and for a time, chickens.  Their retirement coincided with the arrival of three grandchildren, whose parents were more than happy to share.  The kids loved the farm and their grandparents.  The grandparents loved and enjoyed the company until they got tired.

Rex was always upbeat whatever the circumstances.  If he had bad days, he was not one to share his burden.  His positive self-image was inspirational whether he deserved it or not.  He was fun to be around and he was much loved.  He spent many retirement hours playing dominos and dispensing wisdom at the local Table of Knowledge. At an hourly rate of a dollar, he would have been a rich man.  

After Barbara’s loss, Rex reconnected with an old friend, Ora Clubb. They spent his final years traveling, dancing, and sharing dinners with a wide circle of friends. Thanks to Ora, he enjoyed an active social life that likely extended his years. True to form, he kept finding joy in life.

He was a member of the First Methodist Church of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Rotary Club and Franklin County Historical Society.  While living in Daingerfield he was president of the school board and a member of the city council.

Rex is survived by his daughter, Tammy DeWolf; son, Randy (Heather Herfel) Norris; grandchildren Jake (Dr. Alex) DeWolf, Riley Norris, Jett Norris; nephews, Steve Conley, Ronnie Conley, David Payne and Mark Norris; special friend, Ora Clubb.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Barbara; his parents, Seth and Mamie Norris; brother, Wayne Norris; sister, Robbie Nell; favorite son-in-law, Steve DeWolf.

Visitation will be on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 1:00 pm and service following at 2:00 pm at the Mount Vernon First Methodist Church.  Burial will follow at Old Saltillo Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Franklin County Food Bank (PO Box 185 - Mount Vernon, TX); First United Methodist Church Mount Vernon https://fumcmv.churchcenter.com/giving;  St. Jude Children's Research Hospital http://www.stjude.org.

Services entrusted to Sam B. Harvey Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at www.samharveyfuneralhome.com.

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