Maxine Norris

Eunice Maxine McDade Norris, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away peacefully at age 85 on November 1, 2025 in Valdosta, GA, her home for the past 62 years.

Remembered by most as the pianist at the old Fiddler’s Green and the Valdosta Country Club for many years, Maxine bravely battled dementia for the last 10 years of her life with her darling husband ever by her side. Born in Forest City, NC on September 24, 1940, she moved to Macclenny, FL during high school and graduated from Baker County High. After graduation, she married and started her family while working for the superintendent of the Baker County school system and playing piano at the Glen St. Mary (FL) Baptist Church. In 1963, she moved with her family to Valdosta, where, other than a short stint in Albany, GA, she would spend the rest of her life. For the next 15 years, she worked predominantly as the accountant/bookkeeper for Dinkins Motor Company and Midas Muffler Shop and was the pianist for the Forrest Street Church of God all while being an active mother in the lives of her four children. In 1983, she married the love of her life, Vernon Norris, who was still holding her hand as she passed. She continued her work in bookkeeping and accounting by day with various firms including Don Powell CPA, Gaskins and Sweat, Mauldin and Jenkins (Albany), while playing the piano professionally at night and on weekends, including weddings and funerals for many of Valdosta’s citizens. After retirement, she moved from tax papers to wallpapers as she and Vernon built a successful rental property business where she particularly enjoyed the home decorating.

Besides her music, animals were a constant in her life. Some of her favorites were the hummingbirds on her feeders, the butterflies on her bushes, the catfish and brim in her pond, the baby ducks that hatched on her island, and a menagerie of cats and dogs through the years ending with a spoiled little dachshund named Spanky who was her sidekick for 17 years. Although she has had many hobbies, the one most cherished will be her crocheting, as over the years, each child and grandchild has received a personally designed crocheted afghan which can now become a family heirloom.

Maxine was preceded in death by her parents Yates Holland McDade and Annie Mae Henson McDade, by her sister and brother, Betty Jean McDade McGinnis and Yates Holland McDade, Jr. (Bud), and by one baby son, Ross Elliot Dinkins.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 42 years, Vernon Leroy Norris; her children, Robin Dinkins Phillips (George), Belonia Robert Dinkins III (Christy), Stuart Wayne Dinkins (Vicki), Tony Len Dinkins (Terrie), as well as 11 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephew’s.

Funeral Service for Maxine will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at New Bern Memorial Cemetery, 1112 Chelsea Road, New Bern, NC 28562.

Condolences to the family can be sent to Vickie Stowe, 503 Kingneck Road, New Bern, NC 28560.

Flowers graciously accepted or consider a donation in honor of Maxine Norris to Wave of Hope Church of God of Prophecy, 2817 Oaks Road, New Bern, NC 28560 or to the charity of your choice.

The family would like to especially thank Vickie Stowe, Ginny Webber, and Kathy Dorminy for care above and beyond… you are truly earth angels. ❤️

Bennett Funeral & Cremation Care is honored to serve the family and friends of Maxine Norris.