Anita Dolores Norris

Long-time resident of the Midland-Odessa area Anita Dolores Norris went to be with the Lord on October 10, 2021. At her side was her husband of 34 years, Jay Norris. Anita celebrated her 75^th birthday on September 26^th.

The family will host a time of celebrating Anita’s life from 5-7 pm, Thursday, October 14th at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home, 3800 N. Big Spring St., Midland. Attendees are encouraged to come any time during those hours. Refreshments will be served.

Anita lived a very passionate life. Her many loves included first and foremost her family. She was happiest when she was laughing with her children and later her grandchildren. Her greatest love was her Savior, Jesus Christ. Even to the final days of her life she was praising God and encouraging everyone she met to know God’s love for them.

Among her favorite pastimes was traveling with husband Jay. Their trips included both domestic and international destinations with the most exotic being to the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

Her day-to-day home life was focused on music, gardening and cooking. Anita loved to sing and even wrote some songs, as well as poetry. Her green thumb was evident in the beautiful flowers and sumptuous vegetables she tended in her gardens throughout her life.

Anita was born to Jean and Monroe Mings on September 26, 1946 and raised in Hobbs, NM where she attended Hobbs High School before re-locating to Odessa. Her work career included being the secretary at 1^st Presbyterian Church in both Odessa and Midland. She then worked at the Trust Department of First State Bank, followed by working at Home Savings in Midland where she met her soon-to-be-husband Jay. Her last employment was as the Office Manager for James Van Stavern Interiors.

Anita is survived by her husband Jay Norris of Midland, son Ron Mahan, wife Terry of Midland; granddaughter Candace (Mahan) Collier, husband Nolan and great-grandsons Colton, Preston and Braxton of Grady; granddaughter Tiffany (Mahan) Nunn, husband Tanner and great grandson River of Stanton; grandchildren Hunter Green and Lexi Green of Midland; stepson Alan Norris and Leslie, granddaughter Ashley (Norris) Hyatt, husband Roger and great-grandchildren Aubree and Addison; and Alan’s stepchildren Colby and Shelby Rogers, husband Trevor and children Braxton and Brooklyn of Midland. Anita is also survived by her life-long friend and former mother-in-law Ruby Mahan of Odessa.

Anita’s six siblings surviving her are: Dwayne Mings of Tulia, Carol Lester of N. Richland Hills, Elaine Mings of Dolores, CO, Sharon Rubinstein of Roseville, CA, Linda Kay Marr, husband Bill of Ft. Sumner, NM, Michael Mings, wife Rhetha of Hobbs, NM as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Anita was preceded in death by daughter Kim (Mahan) Green; her parents, Monroe Mings and Jean (Mings) Berryman and first husband, Ronnie Lee Mahan Sr.

The family would like to express their gratitude towards the many medical persons who treated her during her illness, with special gratitude to Dr. Brian Berryman of Dallas and his staff at Texas Oncology in Midland.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Beth Yeshua Messianic Congregation (bethyeshua.org), West Texas Food Bank (WTFB.com), Salvation Army (salvationarmy.org).

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.