Lola Bernice Norris

Former Internal Revenue Agent Lola Bernice (Haywood) Norris was born on April 16th, 1930 to Orville Robert and Lillian Mae (Wright) Haywood, who preceded her in death, the fourth of six children in Indianapolis, Indiana. Lola was raised in the Haughville community of Indianapolis, attended School #63 and was a proud graduate of Crispus Attucks High School where she was an honor roll student and enjoyed singing in various choirs. In fact Lola was a member of the 100 Member Canteen Choir, an all - city choral group. Lola attended what we call the family church, Christ Temple Apostolic Assembly co-founded by her father's brother Bishop Garfield Thomas Haywood where she sang in the youth choir. Graduating from Attucks in 1947, Lola received a scholarship for singing to Indiana Central College (now University of Indianapolis) and this is where she met and married her former husband James Otis Norris. To this union there was born one son, Duane Anthony Norris on July 19th, 1949.
In 1952 Lola became employed as a clerk at the Finance Center, U.S. Army located at Fort Benjamin Harrison.
In the summer of 1957, while vacationing, Lola decided to move to Los Angeles, California because of everything that is/was California. Nice weather, greater opportunity for African-Americans and most importantly the inexpensive cost of higher education. This was her opportunity to return to college, plus looking ahead, Lola reasoned that education for her son would be less expensive. Lola attended school nights at Los Angeles City College (LACC) and Los Angeles State College (now California State University at Los Angeles) and received a degree in Advanced Studies.
Lola's first job in California was at Cheli Air Force Station in Maywood, CA as a temp clerk. By 1958 Lola had moved to the Internal Revenue Service which at that time was housed in what is now the US Courthouse at 312 N. Spring St.
Beginning her IRS career as a Grade 2 clerk, Lola put her education to good use to qualify for promotions within the Service. Lola progressed through the clerical ranks and after being detailed several times to the office of the District Director and impressing him with her efficiency applied for and was promoted to a tax examiner position in the Audit Division (which became the Examination Division, which is now SB/SE). After several years as a tax examiner Lola became a Tax Auditor, stationed in the old Torrance Post-of-Duty on Hawthorne Blvd. Eventually she entered the management training program and was selected to be Assistant Chief Centralized Services Branch by her old Office Audit Manager Alice Dorman who was the Chief. After several years as Assistant Chief Lola became the Chief and held that position for several years before being selected as a manger in Conference Staff (now Appeals). After her assignment as a manager in Conference Staff Lola became an Internal Revenue Agent in the Carson office until she retired in 1985(?).
She lived in Los Angeles until 1969. Lola purchased a home and moved to Carson, CA following a suggestion from friend and co-worker Olive Harris. Lola remained a resident of Carson on Cyrene Dr. for the rest of her life.
After retirement Lola enjoyed traveling, bowling, golf, attending plays or other performances, purchasing items from HSN or QVC and most of all enjoying the company of her grandson, Dalyn. Dalyn was her shopping partner while she bought out Sam's Club and Costco availing themselves of the free food samples. In later years due to health issues Lola was forced to curtail her activities and largely devoted her time to enjoying the Soaps, Masterpiece Theatre, The Waltons, Dr. Quinn, In the Heat of the Night and Little House on the Prairie.
After being in increasingly declining health for the last 6 months Lola transitioned peacefully Friday morning May 29th.
Lola was preceded in death by her mother and father, older brother Orville Robert, Jr., older sisters Sarah E. Rowe, Mary Lou Baker and younger sister Marion Houston. Lola leaves to cherish her memory her son Duane Norris and grandson Dalyn Norris of Carson, sister Patricia Miller and brother-in-law Robert Miller and their children Petra Miller and Michelle Andrews of Henderson, NV. and Robert Miller (Diane) of Canton, Michigan, brother-in-Law John E. Rowe of Indianapolis, nephews John H. Rowe of Shreveport, LA, Keith Adams, Eric Houston, nieces Sheila Rowe – Posey (Rickey), Sheryl Rowe, Kimberly Morris of Indianapolis and a host of relatives, friends and acquaintances.


Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275