Obituary of Norris Edwin Goode

Norris took leave of this world last night, April 8th. He left it the way he lived it, peacefully. He was born on May 13th, 1932 in south side Bedford County, the son of Sam and Mary Susie (Dellis) Goode. He was preceded in death by Sam, Susie and his baby sister, Mary. He grew up in a wonderful working class family during The Great Depression and before electricity was made available to his part of Bedford County. Raised on a farm and to a family that out of necessity had to be creative to survive, he often recounted wonderful stories of those bygone times. He was often at his father’s side assisting with the “dressing” of cut timber, the delivery of eggs to markets and the canning of “Goode Brother’s Smith Mountain Brand Tomatoes.” Electricity and running water did not come to his home until the time of WW II. He would carry water up a steep hill from the well to their house. He was treated to the wonderful smells of his mom’s cooking on the old Blue Bird Wood Stove which we still have. Can one imagine what it was like to be there the first day electricity was turned on in their home that had only known oil lamps and wood stoves prior? Every Saturday he would ride with his father to Roanoke and while Sam would run errands and deliver goods, he would spend hours at the old American Theater watching reel to reels and war correspondence. Afterwards they would enjoy a hot dog at the venerable Roanoke Weiner Stand. Those certainly were the days. Like so many other too young to fight boys during World War II, he supported his town and uncles who went off to war. The “Bedford Boys” is well documented and he often spoke proudly of not only our own family connection but as well to the small, rural close-knit community that was deeply affected with loss. No one was left untouched. He made sure we remembered the sacrifices made by not only this community but by all Americans during this time. Unable to fight, he kept his attention on scholastics, chores and his talents. At a young age, he started to sing. And man what a voice. That would lead to over 40 years of participation in the Bedford Baptist choir. But long before choir, like so many of the young at that time, he was active in Glee Club in high school. He participated in a barbershop quartet that would persist into young adulthood. He was active in 4-H and went as far as Nationals in Iowa for cattle judging. But it was his affection for drawing cultivated from a young boy’s fascination with the comics of Disney, Superman and Dick Tracy that would prove to be a life long passion parlayed into a profession. He gave 42 years of service as primarily the Director of the Art Department for Piedmont Label Company (now Smyth Company). If he has not drawn it, he photographed it. And how many of you out there got a birthday cake with his artwork on that? Every kid my age that I know grew up with a Betty Goode birthday cake with Norris’ personal air brushed designs on them. As my mother tells it, he was due to graduate Valedictorian of his class from Huddleston High School in 1950, but threw a final exam, giving over that role to his best friend Edgar Paul Robison. He settled for Salutatorian instead. When asked why, he responded he just did not want to have to give the “big speech.” That was actually him to a tee. Unassuming. Low key. Behind the scenes. I don’t know how many years he worked on the Little Town Players sets for their various productions. All those staged scenes for many years was his artwork brushed onto large canvas murals. He had help I am sure, but he spent many a late night there by himself making sure the “scene was set.” After high school, he was drafted into the Navy for the Korean War Conflict. He was placed on an aircraft carrier and per him, his job was to operate a stationary crane that plucked planes out of the water when they overshot the carrier’s runway and ended up in the “drink.” I didn’t know that job even existed. Once released from war time duties, he followed through with his dream of school and entered Richmond Polytechnic Institute (now VCU) where he trained as a graphic artist that would lead to his career. Where as most of his friends in the smooth and jazzy 1950s were moving to the big city for the growing boon of Advertisement, he returned home taking his first and only job with Piedmont Label Company. He oversaw the Art Department during the heyday of graphic art. Now, everything is digital and if you would pardon, takes no specific talent. But back then, it was all hand drawn by a cadre of talented folks at large rows of drafting tables. I had the privilege of seeing the process several times at Piedmont Label. Such a fascinating and gifted profession. I cannot help every time I buy a bottle of Texas Pete think of my father and his colleagues at Piedmont Label as that was one of their creations. Every can, jar or bottle label back in the day had an artist or artists behind them with a story and a drafting table. In retirement, dad devoted himself to charitable work, kept up duties as a Deacon at Bedford Baptist Church and helped my mother with her restaurant and catering service. Eventually all things change and come to an end and so too did Goode’s Country Kitchen, to many a landmark meeting place for food and folks to chat. My parents only ever lost money on that venture. But I’m not sure making money has ever been the point for either of them. Life has always held a higher purpose. My father and mother utilized the restaurant as a conduit for charitable giving and christian-like fostering of refugees from Laos, the down and out and just about every teenage kid I can name including at least two of my high school girlfriends. No worries. They took in anyone who needed a first, second or even third chance. But hey, isn’t that what the Bible teaches us? Are we not supposed to give totally of ourselves for that said higher purpose? Well, he did. Always. Forever. He never seemed interested in accolades or awards. His reward came Wednesday night at 10:50 pm when his soul left this world and crossed into the eternal. For the past 10 years of his life, he has been “home” in the Huddleston area, close to his family and grandchildren, his childhood church home of Palestine Baptist and all things he held dear from his past. He was happy, productive and active up and until recently. But even as his body declined, even as he was struck down by a stroke in the summer of 2019, he never lost that smile. And if there is one thing I would like for him to be remembered by was that wide as a river smile that invited anyone and everyone into him. So, to you dad, in remembrance: We will all smile a little wider, laugh a little longer and hug a little tighter. We love you. He is survived by his wife, Betty Tuck Goode and two sons, Jeff and Steve. A private family graveside service will be held at Greenwood Cemetery on Saturday, April 11, 2020. A service to celebrate Norris' life will be held at a date yet to be determined. Arrangements are being handled by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.