Barrett Ervin Norris

The Reverend Barrett Ervin Norris, 80, of Goose Creek, SC, died early Saturday morning with his family by his side after a long battle with congestive heart failure.

He was born to the late Paul and Loretta Norris on April 7, 1934 in Butler, Kentucky. Barrett graduated from Highlands High School in 1953. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Rural Sociology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1957, and a Bachelor of Divinity from Southeastern Seminary. While at Virginia Tech, Barrett met and married Helen Ann Hatcher, and they were married until her death in 2004.

Barrett pastored at the Methodist Home for Children in Raleigh, NC, Macedonia Baptist Church in Jefferson, SC, Providence Baptist Church in Pageland, SC, and Jamestown Baptist Church in Jamestown, SC. He also served as an interim pastor for many low country churches through the Screven Baptist Association. Barrett served as a missionary in South America, the Caribbean, Japan, Egypt, Israel, Greece, Haiti, and Ecuador. Barrett was honorably discharged as a Second Lieutenant Army Chaplain after four years of service. After retiring from full time ministry, he was the founder and owner of Norris Photography for many years. A Certified Master Photographer, Barrett was a past president of the Professional Photographers of South Carolina. During George H. W. Bush’s presidency, Barrett was an Official White House Photographer. Even though he was retiring from photography in recent years, he remained the formal photographer at The Citadel in Charleston, SC. Barrett, not only an honorable man, but a man of God, enjoyed golf, camping, and watching the History Channel and NCIS.

Barrett is survived by his sister, Sue Ann Norris, who resides in their childhood home in Fort Thomas, Kentucky. He is also survived by his three sons: John Barrett Norris of Goose Creek, SC; William Hatcher Norris of Mount Pleasant, SC; and Paul Valentine Norris of Johns Island, SC. The apples of his eyes were his grandchildren: Courtney Ann Morrissey of Summerville; William Barrett Norris of West Columbia; and Joshua Paul and Jasmine Elizabeth Norris both of Johns Island. Most recently he was blessed with two great grandchildren--Martin Hatcher and Maeley Ann.

There will be a memorial service at Saint John’s Baptist Church in Pinopolis, SC on Sunday, August 10, 2014 at 3:00PM. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. If you would like, please bring a finger food to share in fellowship with one another. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Saint John’s Baptist Church, Barrett Norris Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 283, Moncks Corner, SC 29461. The family is being assisted by Russell Funeral Chapel at 107 West Main Street, Moncks Corner, SC 29461.