MEMORIES War rations Lights out Deep ditch in front of house Neighbors Mr & Mrs Wall Mr &Mrs Bellamy Mr & Mrs Flowers

Jerry (left), Bill (right), Betty (sitting) and Janie (on Betty's lap.) About 1943 in front of Alexander Park house.

Norman Street Alexander Park

During the time we lived in Alexander Park, there was a shared garden called a Victory Garden.  All the neighbors pitched in and had the land behind the little houses plowed, then they divided it up so each family had a little plot to raise a few fresh vegetables.

In 1949 daddy was recalled by the Navy Yard and again the family relocated to Portsmouth.  This time they obtained housing in a small two bedroom apartment in Lee Hall Apartments.  Times were tough and really close quarters with four children, but they managed quite well.  I don't remember it being cramped but it had to be, with only two bedrooms and a very small living room and kitchen.  They lived there for about five years then moved to a larger apartment in Williams Court.  This apartment was on two floors and had three bedrooms and a much larger living room.  By this time Betty was married. Jerry, Bill and Janie were still at home and Mama was working with the Federal Government.

Mama, Daddy, Bill and Janie in Lee Hall Living Room. Christmas about 1951 or 1952

While living in Lee Hall mama attended classes to help her obtain her GED and classes to teach her the bookkeeping skill.  She worked (her first job) for a small company in Cradock as the bookkeeper. Her next job was with Mr Blumberg, the owner of Blumberg's Dept. Store.  About 1958 she received employment with the Federal Government and worked with them until her retirement in 1977.  Daddy was laid of  from the Navy Yard again during the early 50's for a short time. During this layoff he worked at Holt Buick and Perry Buick as an automobile mechanic.  He was recalled by the Navy Yard and  remained there until his retirement about 1967.

Mama, Daddy, Betty, Jerry, Bill and Janie in Lee Hall Living room. Taken Easter about 1951 or 1952

Mama made the slipcover on the couch and daddy was always pulling the TV out and replacing tubes.  Our address was 11-C Suburban Circle.

In 1962 mama and daddy were able to buy their own home. The house they bought was located in the Glen Isle area of Chesapeake, VA.  It was on the Elizabeth River. Daddy enjoyed a long retirement in that home.

On March 27, 1977, at the age of 58, while on her way to church, Emily Ruth Clark Norris had a stroke and passed away. She had been retired for about a month.  Tom contined to live in the house. On March 10, 1978, Thomas Avery Norris passed away after a short illness. Both were buried at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Chesapeake, VA. Betty was living in Spokane, WA, Bill in Houston, TX, Jerry in Chesapeake and Janie in Portsmouth.

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