Norris E. McDivitt

Norris E. McDivitt, Sr., 93, of Owensboro, KY, passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 8, 2026, at Cedarhurst Senior Living, under the guided care of Hospice.

He was born August 29, 1932, to Huey Otto and Alsie Oane (Gray) McDivitt in the Piljerk area, near Covington, in Tipton County, TN, who preceded him in death. Siblings who also preceded him are brother Jimmy Darrel and sister-in-law Dolores McDivitt, sister Peggy Sue and brother-in-law Haskin Davis, brother Gary Jo McDivitt, sister Janice McDivitt, and brother-in-law Jere H. Hadley.

Norris began a long career with Texas Gas Transmission Corporation in 1950, with a job that saw him rise from a temporary worker digging a footer for the Covington Compressor Station, through the ranks to retire as Senior Vice-President of Operations and Engineering. His early work career was interrupted by the draft and subsequent orders to report to Korea for the Army during the Korean Conflict. With his return to the US and Texas Gas, his bride, Elise, met him with their firstborn son, with another son to follow a few years later.

While working for the pipeline, Norris earned a Bachelor's degree from Louisiana College, now known as Louisiana Christian University, in Pineville, and later a Master's degree from Northwestern State University, in Natchitoches. All this, after quitting school in the 8th grade to work to help provide for his family. From Covington, TN, to south Louisiana, to Owensboro and many points in-between, Texas Gas was wonderful for Norris, and he loved his work, especially the opportunities his work availed him and their family of four.

While he loved spending time with family and close friends, Norris found great joy in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. So upon his retirement in 1997, Norris never stopped working, moving his skills from a desk for the pipeline to farms in both Kentucky and Tennessee. The farm work provided him with opportunities to teach his grandchildren the humble yet rewarding accomplishments of working on the tree farm. In return, cherished, lasting memories were created.

Norris has left a legacy rich in love for his family and in gratitude for the abundant blessings bestowed upon him and his family from his Lord and Savior. He and Elise were longtime members of Lewis Lane Baptist Church in Owensboro, where he served as Deacon for many years, as well as on numerous committees.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 73 years, Elise Hadley McDivitt, son Stan (Leah-Marie) McDivitt, and N. Edwin (Lily) McDivitt, Jr., both of Owensboro; grandchildren S. Curt (Sanghyun Lee) McDivitt II, of Dayton, OH, Nathan (Claudia) McDivitt of Acworth, GA, Patrick (Millie) McDivitt of Albany, CA, and Rachel McDivitt of Nashville, TN; and six great-grandchildren, Iona Go-eun, Etain Hiui, Norris Rhett, Zoe Margaret, Jean Bea, and Mae Elise McDivitt; sister, Rosemary Hadley, brother Sammy McDivitt, sisters-in-law Patsy McDivitt and Tanya McDivitt; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to the entire Cedarhurst Senior Living staff, particularly Beth, Cheyenne, and Emily; to his special caregivers, Brooklyn, Erica, and Veronica, for their outstanding care and dedication to his well-being; and to the Hospice nurses and assistants for his final days' care.

The funeral service in Owensboro will be on Thursday, January 15, at 6:00 pm, at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, with visitation from 2:00 until 5:30 pm.

Services will also be held in Covington, TN, on Saturday, January 17, at Maley-Yarbrough Funeral Home. Visitation in Covington is scheduled for 10:00 am until his Celebration of Life service at 12:00 pm, with burial to follow in the R.H. Munford Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to either of the following: Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Kentucky, 3419 Wathen's Crossing, Owensboro, KY 42301; Lewis Lane Baptist Church, 2600 Lewis Lane, Owensboro, KY 42301; or Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church, 1868 Mt. Lebanon Road, Covington, TN 38019, Attn: Cemetery Fund.

Condolences and memories for the McDivitt family may be left at www.glenncares.com.