Melba Elizabeth Pendleton Norrell, age 90, of Elizabeth City, NC died Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at Elizabeth City Health and Rehabilitation. Born in Pasquotank County, NC on December 16, 1931 to the late Richard Carroll Pendleton and Derothy Ethel Layden Pendleton, she was the widow of Laurie “Bill” Norrell who she was married to for thirty-four years. Melba was a registered nurse who retired after forty plus years where she worked with Dr. Hoggard’s office, Albemarle Hospital, and the U. S. Coast Guard Base. She then worked at Luther’s Greenhouse until its closing. She was a member of the Weeksville Lions Club Auxiliary and Newbegun United Methodist Church and was one of the original members of the Marcy Albertson Homemakers Club. A graduate of Weeksville High School, she received her nursing degree from King’s Daughters Hospital in 1956. Melba loved cooking, gardening and being outdoors. Her biggest joy was being with her family and especially attending her grandchildren’s functions.
She is survived by a daughter, Laurie Norrell Krainiak and husband Randy; a son, James C. Norrell and his wife Frances; a stepdaughter, Debbie N. Rawls and husband Keith; two sisters, Janet Savin and husband Roy and Cora Lee Barefield; five grandchildren, Stacy R. Krainiak and wife Kelley, Richard Krainiak and wife Colleen, Walker Krainiak, Erin E. Tipton and husband Charlie, and William P. Norrell and wife Tori; two stepgrandchildren, Kristy Overton and Husband Russ and Sherri Burgess and husband, Stephen; six great grandchildren, Rilyn E. Krainiak, Colt Krainiak, Skylar Krainiak, Pierce Krainiak, Drew Copeland, and Ruby Tipton; and seven step great-grandchildren, Reid Burgess, Andy Burgess, Boyd Tisdale, Mackenzie Overton, Kate Overton, Elise Overton, and C. J. Tipton.
A graveside funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, January17, 2022 at West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Casey Estler officiating. A visitation will be held from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at Twiford Memorial Chapel. Twiford Funeral Home, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909 is serving the Norrell family. Online memorial condolences may be sent to the family at www.TwifordFH.com. Memorial donations may be made to the Weeksville Lions Club, 2760 Peartree Road, Elizabeth City, NC 27909. To plant a tree in memory of Mrs. Norrell or to send flowers to the family, please visit www.TwifordFH.com/send-flowers.
Contact Information:
Twiford Funeral Home (Elizabeth City)
405 East Church Street,
Fax: 252-335-4329
Email: J.J.Twiford@TwifordFH.com
Offer Condolence for the family of Melba P. Norrell
Print Obituary & Condolences
Faye and Charles Gray
Laurie and James, we are so sorry for your loss. Mothers hold a special place in our hearts that no one else can fill. We are grateful for what she has done to help others in her professional and personal life. It was always a pleasure to visit with her when she was at Brookdale.
RHONDA WOOD
James & Laurie, Sorry to hear of the passing of your mother.
Thoughts and prayers are with you & your family now and in
the days ahead.
With Our Sympathy,
Rhonda & Jesse Wood
Paul & Gail Umphlett
LAURIE, JAMES & family, so sorry for the loss of your mother. You are in our thoughts & prayers.
Sudie Saunders
I first met your mom at Dr. Hoggard’s office. She was so nice and sweet to the children when she saw them. Enjoyed visiting with her when we saw here around town. We have such great memories of her. Your memories will help you during these days.
Linda and Harry Nash
James, Laurie and family, We are so sorry for your loss. Your mom was a sweet lady! Loved talking to her when she came in Belk’s. Prayers for all of you.
Joe and Wanda Forbes
Laurie and family, so sorry to hear of Melba passing. She was always pleasant to talk with when we saw each other. My thoughts and prayers are with the whole family.
Joe and Wanda Forbes.
Linda Ferrell Speight
We are so very sorry about your loss. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Linda Speight and Family
Doris Ferrell
Kelly Cameron & family
Laurie, James and family-
My heart aches for you all, your Mom was a treasure and I know you’ll miss her terribly. Prayers abound- lean on the good memories to get you through.
Much love
Bessie Reid Ward
Cora Lee & Family,
So very sorry to read about Melba’s passing.
I always remember how beautiful & soft spoken she was.
My thought’s & prayer’s ,are with all of you now.
Sincerely,
Bessie Reid Ward
Williams Ronald
James and Laurie our Hearts go out to you and your Family. Your Mom was special to our Neighborhood, we send lots of love and prayers
Ronnie and Clair
Ella Clair Williams
Laurie and James, Ronnie and I want to express our deep sympathy to you both for the loss of your mom! What a service she provided as a nurse at the base for all those years! She and your dad were sweet friends to us as newlyweds in 1973! Ron went to see them after we first got married and brought home a tiny little kitten!
Floyd Dean Dail
May God’s unchanging love surround your family during this time
Ricky A. Perry
James & Laurie,
I’m so sorry to hear about your mother’s passing. We go way back with traveling to out of town games. You’re mom & dad we’re so nice to me. Only time will ease your loss.
Cheryl Simpson
So sorry for your loss. May God comfort you during this time.
Judy Carter
Laurie and James I am so sorry to hear about Ms Melba. I have good memories of working with her. She had a great sense of humor. Prayers of comfort for the whole family
Sue and Bill Kruse
Our deepest sympathies to the Norrell Family. We have fond memories of Melba from Newbegun UMC.
Barney and Jane Higgins
So sorry for your loss. Your Mama was such a nice lady. Praying for comfort for each one of you.
JudyOld
To the Norrell Family I just want to say Ms Melba was the sweetest lady and I enjoyed my years of sitting by her at games talking. So friendly and so caring. Was sorry to see this but my prayers are with you all❣️
Mike & Gale Perry
So sorry for your loss.
LuAnn Jordan
Laurie, James, and family, I’m very sorry to hear about Mrs. Norrell. She was a friendly, pleasant presence in school days, always helping out and being part of the fun. You are in my prayers.
Nellie Mae Davis
Laurie, James, Janet, and Family,
The heart is never ready, the time is never right to say good-bye. But if our loved one knew the Lord, our
loss becomes their gain. I pray God will give you peace.
Jacqueline W Farkas
Cora Lee, Janet, James, Laurie and family. I am so sorry to hear of Melba’s passing. She was a sweet lady and I enjoyed talking with her. May God be with all of you and give you the strength and comfort during this time. It is difficult loosing a mother but she will always be in your hearts and memories. She was a busy lady helping others.
Jackie Weeks Farkas
Susan Pritchard
Thank you for your kind words you sent me. Our mothers are well receiving their rest and reward now. What blessings mothers are. Their little bodies were tired but their spirits soar. I will include you in my prayers.
Shirley Dunbar
So sorry for your loss. A sweeter person you wouldn’t find. We were in nursing school together and she was always fun to be around and such a wonderful nurse always loved by her patients.
Bernie and Jeanie Blystone
James and Laurie, so sorry for your loss. Your Mom was such a nice lady. You were blessed to have her for many years. Your families are in our prayers.
Donna Pittman Baanante
Many blessing to each of you and may Melba’s memory be comforting to you all.
With sympathy,
Donna Pittman Baanante
George Baanante
Georgia K Baker
Laurie,James and families, so sorry for the loss of your mama. Prayers for peace and comfort
Bobbi White
James, Laurie and Family-
So sorry to hear about the loss of your mama. She was one sweet woman! I always enjoyed seeing and talking with her at Brookdale. I know you will miss her so much, but you have so many wonderful memories of her. Keep those memories close to your heart! Sending you all my love and prayers!
Bobbi White