Mrs. Dorothy D. Norcross, 101, of Lafayette, CO, died February 8, 2024, at the home of her daughter, Pamela Norcross-Sherrick. Dorothy was born February 16, 1922, at Heber, CA, the daughter of Otis Osborn and Flava D. (Murphy) Osborn. On August 1, 1943, she was married to her college sweetheart, Claude E. Norcross, in Drexel, MO. She received a bachelor’s degree from Central Missouri State College, Warrensburg, MO. For over thirty years she worked as an elementary school teacher in Westline and Drexel, MO; Dunlap, IL; and Palo Alto, Elk Hills School District, El Segundo, and Redondo Beach, CA. She retired from teaching in 1983. After retirement, she and Claude lived on her parents’ farm in Drexel, MO, and spent their time researching and writing family history books and Claude’s naval service on a LST during WWII. Her favorite activities were reading, writing letters to her family, gardening, canning, and caring for her horses, dogs, and cats. She was preceded in death by her parents and Claude (who passed away just three months prior to their 70th wedding anniversary). Survivors include two daughters, Pamela Norcross-Sherrick and husband James Sherrick, Lafayette, CO, and Diana Norcross McWilliams, Los Angeles, CA; one grandson Cyrus McWilliams, Los Angeles, CA; and one great-granddaughter, Gwyneth McWilliams, Los Angeles, CA. Final arrangements were entrusted to the Darrell Howe Mortuary, Lafayette, CO. Interment will be in the Sharon Cemetery, Drexel, MO. A family memorial gathering will occur in the spring. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Louisburg Public Library, 206 S. Broadway, Louisburg KS 66052, or a charity of your choice.
