James Bartholomew "Sollie" Norris, Sr., 87, of Chaptico, MD died December 15, 2008 at his residence. Born October 1, 1921 in Avenue, MD he was the son of the late Joseph Stewart and Alice Selina Wise Norris.

He was preceded in death by his wife Helen Veronica Hall Norris on July 12, 1992; they were married February 16, 1942 in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bushwood, MD.

He is survived by his children: Jean Carolyn Quade of Mechanicsville, MD, Bubby Norris and his wife Carolyn of Chaptico, MD, Francis Steuart Norris and his wife Jessie of Pikeville, NC and Miriam "Mickey" McGinnis and her husband William of Waldorf, MD; 10 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren and 2 step great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son David Allen; son-in-law: James Harold Quade; siblings: Earl Norris, Elliot Norris, Irving Norris, Cecil Norris, Norman Norris, Connie Norris, Elvie Baily, Gertrude Cusic, Mary Agnes Ellis and Frances Turner Hall Saunders, Eleanor Christenbery.

Sollie was a life long St. Mary's County resident where he attended River Springs Elementary and Margaret Brent High School. He worked as a carpenter at Cedar Point, auto salesman for Guy Chevrolet, Park Pontiac and Sponsler Pontiac. He also worked at a Pepco Plant, where he retired in 1982.

He served in the U.S. Army from August 28, 1944 – February 16, 1946 where he was stationed in the Luzon Philippines; his decoration of honors include: Good Conduct, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Ribbon and Victory Ribbon WWII.

Sollie enjoyed fishing, hunting, farming and spending time with his family.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 18, 2008 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where Prayers will be said at 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 19, 2008 at 10:00 AM in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bushwood, MD with Fr. Francis Early officiating. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Mark Norris, Sean Norris, Kyle McGinnis, Gary Norris, Scott Armsworthy and Josh Norris. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.

Contributions may be made to: Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650, 7th District Optimist Club Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 53, Bushwood, MD 20618 and/or 7th District Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 7, Avenue, MD 20609.

Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home.