New Iberia A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, June 9, 2014, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in New Iberia, for Mrs. Otis Norris, the former Rita Babineaux Norris, age 93, who passed away on Friday, June 6, 2014, at Azalea Estates Assisted Living.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at the funeral home from 4:00 pm until 9:00 pm on Sunday and continue at 9:00 am until 10:30 am on Monday. A recitation of the rosary will be at 7:00 pm on Sunday.
Rev. Mark Derise, Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church will be the celebrant of the Mass. Readers will be Billie Jo N. Bonin and Lauren N. LeBlanc. Gift Bearers will be Bridget B. Peltier and Angela N. Robicheaux. Interment will follow at Holy Family Cemetery in New Iberia.
Rita was a native and resident of New Iberia where she was born on January 31, 1921. She was a resident of Azalea Estates from January 2012 until her death where she was affectionately known as Ms. Rita by the staff. She was always happy and ready to help whenever she could. She was most proud of her family which she constantly told the staff, How lucky she was to have such a wonderful and caring family.
She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and sister. Mrs Norris was a talented seamstress all of her life. She was known for her beautiful smocked baby dresses which she did for 74 years. Rita and her husband owned and operated a grocery store, Norris Grocery, from 1943 to 1957. She then worked for Nereaux Interior Decorators & Ralphs Flooring & Interiors, making draperies until she and her daughter Sis started their own drapery business, Norris Draperies. She also was a volunteer at Dauterive Hospital for several years.
She is survived by her daughters, Joyce N. Dartez, Lucille "Sis" Segura and her husband, Dickey, and Joy Rita Artigue and her husband, Bobby; her sons, Raymond J. Norris and his wife, Billie Linnartz; Randy Norris and his wife Karla Rentrop all of New Iberia; her three sisters, Lillian B. Normand, Gladys B. Comeaux, and Emilda B. Robichaux; fourteen grandchildren, Dwayne Dartez, Crystal D. Hebert, Kevin Dartez, Dean Segura, Donna S. Adams, Bridget B. Peltier, Wendy B. Mouton, Billie Jo N. Bonin, Rhonda N. Reaux, Angela N. Robichaux, Daina N. Breaux, Lauren N. LeBlanc, Nicole Norris and Katherine Norris; twenty four great grandchildren; six step-great-grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Otis Louis Norris; her parents, Marcial and Amelia Romero Babineaux; a great-grandson, Blake Dartez; three brothers, Robert Babineaux, Clynes Babineaux, and Mitchell Babineaux; a sister, Theresa B. Delahoussaye; and her sons-in-law, Johnny Dartez and Herbert Pa-Put Bonin..
Pallbearers will be Raymond J. Norris, Randy Norris, Dickey Segura, Bobby Artigue, Dwayne Dartez, Dean Segura, and Kevin Dartez.
The family would like to thank Chris Thibodeaux and the staff of Azalea Estates for their wonderful care. They would also like to thank Ms. Ritas caring friends, Bertha Hulin, Doris Judice and Belle Thibodeaux. Special Thanks goes to Dr. Stephen Boudreaux and Paramount Hospice for the great care they provided during her illness.
Pellerin Funeral Home of New Iberia, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., New Iberia, LA 70560, (337-365-3331) is in charge of arrangements.
To view on-line obituary, sign guestbook and view video tribute, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com
