Clifford Norris McLeod was born in Mobile, Alabama, on May 9, 1944, to his parents, Willie Norris McLeod and Velma Deakle McLeod. His Lord and Savior called him home on June 19th, 2023.
Norris’ greatest source of pride and joy was his family. He married Claudette Pettis, the love of his life, on October 9, 1965. Together, they enjoyed 58 years of marriage, and he was a constant source of love, support, and wisdom for their children, Jerry Norris McLeod and Kerri Annette Lewis. His commitment to his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren was evident in every aspect of his life.
Norris grew up on a family farm, which is where he learned the values of respect, dedication, and hard work. Professionally, Norris’s career spanned over 35 years, during which he worked as a military contractor at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, Ingalls Ship Building in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and Raytheon Service Company, in Rhode Island and Virginia. While never serving in the military, he loved the United States Navy, and most of his career was spent installing and testing computer systems on nuclear-powered submarines. He earned the admiration of his co-workers, who affectionally knew him as “Cliff” or “Mac.”
Norris always liked to be active, so after retiring from Raytheon, he enjoyed serving as the facilities maintenance technician for Southside Baptist Church. He was active in church all throughout his life, serving as a teacher, deacon, and Bible study leader.
He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, southern gospel music, and a good meal with friends. He and Claudette shared time together, square dancing for many years.
Norris is survived by his wife Claudette Pettis McLeod, his son Jerry Norris McLeod (Anna), his daughter Kerri Annette Lewis (David), four granddaughters Renae Deen (Benjamin), Heather Sexton (Joey), Kayla Smith (Elliot), Emily McLeod; seven great-grandsons Gage, Brantley, Myles, Rhett, Remington, Benjamin, and Maverick.
The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to Dr. Pramod Malik, MD, and the Ultrasound Department of Sentara Obici Hospital for their great care.
To all who knew and loved Norris, their lives will never be the same without him; however, we celebrate knowing he is now in the presence of Jesus Christ, and we will see him again one day.
May 9, 1944 - June 19, 2023
A celebration of Norris’s life will be held on June 23, 2023, at 2 pm at Southside Baptist Church in Suffolk, Virginia. A visitation time will occur 1 hour prior to the service, and a reception will immediately follow. A graveside service will be held at Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Southside Baptist Church or Sentara Hospice Services.
