Garland Hoyt Norris, 87, of Bethel passed away at Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard, on Thursday, February 5, 2026. As the days go by, we will surely be reminded of all the people he helped and the guidance he willingly gave. We can only hope that in each of us lies some part of him. 

Hoyt was born on July 31, 1938, in Haywood County to William (Bill) and Wales (Clark) Norris. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his older sister, Joyce (Norris) Mease. Hoyt is survived by his sister Carolyn (Norris) Kuykendall; his children, Angie (Norris) Henley; Kevin Norris (Rene Norris). Along with his grandchildren, Will Norris (Kayla Norris), Landon Henley, and MaeAnna Norris (fiancé Trent Devlin); and many extended family members and dear friends who will cherish his memory. 

At just 16 years old, Hoyt began working at the Champion Paper Mill, where he dedicated 36 years of loyal and hard-working service before retiring. Outside of his career, he found his greatest joy in the simple, meaningful work of the land and his grandchildren. Hoyt was a great cook, famous for his homemade gravy — a recipe and technique he proudly passed down to his grandsons and for hosting unforgettable fish fries. He was also an avid farmer, cattleman, horseman, hunter, and fisherman. Hoyt was a tremendously hard worker who farmed and tended livestock all his life. He could name nearly every riding trail and mountain in the Smokies. After a life fully lived, we know Hoyt is in glory, free of pain and most likely riding a horse or following a bird dog. 

The family will receive friends for visitation at Wells Funeral Home in Canton, NC on Thursday, February 12 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to Gwyn Cemetery in Big East Fork, NC would be appreciated.

The family of Garland “Hoyt” Norris has entrusted Wells Funeral Home with his care.

... And on the 8th day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, “I need a caretaker.” So, God made a farmer. God said, “I need somebody willing to sit up all night with a newborn colt. And watch it die. Then dry his eyes and say, ‘Maybe next year.’ I need somebody who can shape an ax handle from a persimmon sprout, shoe a horse with a hunk of car tire, who can make harness out of haywire, feed sacks and shoe scraps. And who, planting time and harvest season, will finish his forty-hour week by Tuesday noon, then, pain’n from ‘tractor back,’ put in another seventy-two hours.” ~Paul Harvey (1978)