Johnsonville, SC

Johnny, 93, was carried into the presence of Eternal God on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at his home.

Johnny was born in Mullins, SC, a son of the late James Edgar and Bertha Mae Ard Norton. He was salesman/manager at Stuckey Furniture Company for 181/2 years, co-owner of Norlew's Furniture for 12 years, and owner of Johnny's Furniture Company for 22 years. He was a member of the Indiantown Masonic Lodge # 165, a member of the Hemingway First United Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir for many years.

He attended the University of South Carolina and majored in Business Administration. He was a member of Block C Club and Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity. He was also the baseball team manager for two years.

Johnny enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of seventeen and was Quarter Master on the USS Thomas Jefferson during World War II. He received battle stars for the invasions at Sicily, Salerno, Normandy, South France, and Okinawa.

He is survived by his wife Elwyne "El" of 38 wonderful years and when asked last week how long he had been married to El, he quipped "Not long enough"; children, Dr. Michael Norton, Rose Norton Rhodes, and Sheryl Norton Williams; grandchildren, Charles (Kaley) Rhodes, John Michael Norton, Sarah Williams, and Amanda (Ben) Williams; great-grandchildren, Avory, Sadie, Emori, Maddox, and Lila; sisters, Nancy (Jerry) Poston and Mibbie (Charlie) Rogers; godchildren, Brian Welch and Meredith (Chad) Powell; many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings, James (Sarah) Norton, Billy (Elizabeth) Norton, Rev. Hal Norton, Tina (Jim) Martin, Verna Martin, and Marjorie (Bill) Seale; son-in-law, Bill Rhodes.

Graveside services, with Military Honors, will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, October 1, 2018in the Old Johnsonville Cemetery, 800 S. Georgetown Highway, Johnsonville, SC, directed by Morris Funeral Home of Hemingway, SC.
The family will receive friends following the service at the Hemingway First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 201 E. Broad Street Hemingway, SC 29554.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hemingway First United Methodist Church, PO Box 6, Hemingway, SC 29554.

Johnny's final journey was made so bright and beautiful because of his family, friends, Amedisys Hospice, and Amedisys Home Health.

Please sign the guest book at morris-funeralhome.com