Elder Norris Albert McKoy was born March 8, 1935 in Wilmington, NC to the late Irving J. McKoy and Nettie Mckoy. Norris was educated in the New Hanover County School system and graduated from Williston Senior High School in 1955.
In 1958, Norris married Carol Ann Crawford who he affectionately called his best friend. The two were married for more than 60 years and through this union two sons and two daughters were born. Norris and his wife lived in Philadelphia before settling in Virginia. He lived in Hampton, VA at the time of his transition. “Mac,” as he was called by close friends, had a great sense of humor and always made people smile and laugh. He was a family man who truly loved his family, immediate and extended. And he loved spoiling his grandchildren.
He worked and retired at the Newport News Shipyard, and while he worked other jobs from his younger years through his life, Norris especially loved working for the Lord. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord at an early age. He loved church, reading the bible and teaching the Word. He was a member of Mt. Moriah RZUA Church in Newport News.
Norris was a fervent lover of old school gospel music, and he enjoyed using his gift of singing to minister to people. In 1958, he formed a singing group called the Gospel Keys, which was made up of his siblings and a few friends that traveled to many places singing the gospel. He went on to form more gospel singing groups including The Carolaires, The McKoyettes, and the Songbirds. He was also a founding member of the Rising Star Male Chorus of Newport News.
Norris leaves to cherish his memory and carry his legacy his loving wife, Carol; daughter, Pastor Sondra Faye McKoy; son, Keith Erwin McKoy; son, Gregory Rondell McKoy (wife Veronica); daughter, Tangelia Patrice McKoy; four grandchildren, Aishia McKoy, Keana McKoy-Barclift, Elianna McKoy, Karina Montanez; and two great grandchildren, Zahari McKoy and Treyshawn McKoy. Norris was preceded in death by his oldest brother, Irving McKoy, Jr. (wife Daisy) but leaves to cherish his memory two brothers, Bishop Walter McKoy (wife, Athalia) and Eugene McKoy (wife, Mary); and three sisters, Leola Bethune (husband Marion), Eunice Bowens (husband, Pastor Reginald) and Betty McKoy; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins; and a close friend, Samuel Floyd.