Milton Peter Norras

Mr. Milton Peter Norras, 87 of Blackshear, passed away Thursday, March 3, 2022, at Baptist Village.

Born in Albany, GA December 8, 1934, he lived in Blackshear since 1960.  Mr. Norras was a 1953 graduate of Albany High School and went on to further his education by receiving degrees in Education, music, and leadership from Georgia Teachers College (now Georgia Southern University), Troy University, and Valdosta State University.  Affectionately known as ‘The Band Man’, his love of music led him to a 30+ year career where he impacted the lives of thousands of students as a band director and social sciences teacher.  Mr. Norras spent most of his teaching career working for the Pierce County Board of Education following brief stints in Bacon and Brantley County School Systems. Mr. Norras went back to teaching part-time for two more years after his retirement. He also gave private music lessons to numerous individuals throughout his career. 

Mr. Norras was a member of the Men of Note Band and also played with other bands and groups over the years.  He played many different instruments but the saxophone was his favorite.  Mr. Norras was a former member of Emmanuel Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School, led the choir and was actively involved in the music department.  He later moved his membership to First Baptist Church where he was a member of the choir, Joy Group and Joy Choir and orchestra. He also enjoyed attending Trinity United Methodist Church with his late wife, Phyllis, and was involved in their choral groups.

He was an active member of the Blackshear Exchange Club for over 30 years. He enjoyed volunteering his time with the Big Z sale, the Exchange Club Fair, Toys for Tots, and several other civic activities and community events.

Mr. Norras was a son of the late Charles Peter & Lela Marie Messer Norras.  He was preceded in death by his first wife, Sarah Frances Driggers Norras; his second wife, Phyllis Sullivan Cole Norras; and his brother, Tom Norras.

Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Sarah & Terry Tarr of Blackshear; his son and daughter-in-law, Charles Stephen & LeAnn Norras of Savannah; his sister, Mary Elizabeth (Ron) Wolfe of Albany; a sister-in-law, Susan Norras of Overland Park, KS; two step-daughters, Joan Cole of Augusta, Debra Cole of Atlanta, one step-son Tim (Stacy) Cole of St. Louis, MO; 4 grandchildren, Sarah Elizabeth (Jeremy) Gove, Lela Michele Norras, Joel Morgan Norras, and John Isaac Tarr; 4 step-grandchildren Sam Cole, Joe Cole, Lucy Cole, Julia Harris (Cole); a great-granddaughter, Avery Kathryn Gove; several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Funeral services for Mr. Norras will be held Monday afternoon, March 7, 2022, at 3:00 o’clock from the First Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends at the church from 2 until 3 pm.

Interment will be in the Blackshear Cemetery.

The family kindly requests all of Mr. Norras’ former teaching colleagues to serve as honorary pallbearers.  Please meet at the church by 2:30.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Satilla (808 Evergreen Way, Waycross, GA  31501), the Pierce County Band Boosters (PO Box 987, Blackshear, GA  31516), or to the Pierce County Foundation for Excellence in Education, Inc. (PO Box 86, Blackshear, GA  31516).                   

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online register at www.pearsondial.com.

Pearson-Dial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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