Emma Gardiner Norris

July 29, 1944 - February 25, 2025

ABBEVILLE / BATON ROUGE, La. — Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 10 a.m. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rayne, LA for Emma Gardiner Norris, 80, who died Tuesday, February 25, 2025 in The Carpenter House in Baton Rouge, LA.
Inurnment will be in the Our Lady of Sacred Heart Church Old Cemetery, Mausoleum in Church Point, LA.
Rev. Billy Massie family friend, Pastor of St. Ann Catholic Church and Holy Spirit Chapel in Mamou and Vidrine, LA will be the Celebrant of the Memorial Mass and will conduct the funeral services.
Emma Gardiner Norris was born on July 29, 1944 to Madeline Sattler Gardiner and Gerald Wayman Gardiner in Church Point. She graduated from The Academy of Sacred Heart High School in Grand Coteau, LA. Emma was a gracious lady who won beauty pageants and poise awards in her youth. An avid equestrian, she enjoyed riding, water skiing, swimming, reading, sewing, genealogy, and later in life she accompanied Bill on many hunting and fishing trips. Emma was the consummate hostess and cook who could seamlessly execute a formal holiday party or whip up a last-minute festive brunch for a large group of hunters. She enjoyed many escapades with her husband, Bill, and their friends in Abbeville. “Mimi” as Emma was known to her children and grandchildren, will be most remembered for her selfless parenting and grand parenting. She loved being with her children and grandchildren and sharing in the challenges and joys of their lives.
Emma is survived by her three children, Emma Claire Fremaux Rees of Pensacola FL: Dr. Nicole Fremaux Keehn and husband, Dr. Gordon Keehn of The Villages, FL., Andre L. Fremaux and wife Fran Lauve Fremaux of Baton Rouge, LA, step-son Wilton J. "Chip" Norris III, and wife Julie Norris, of Mountain Home, AR; and Dr. George C. Rees of Pensacola, FL. She is also survived by her six grandchildren, Dr. Madeline A. Rees of
Houston; Dr. Charles Dodge Rees and wife Chandler M. Rees of New Orleans; Cameron B. Keehn of Houston, Caroline C. Keehn of Houston, Camille L. Fremaux of Dallas, Charles L. Fremaux of Baton Rouge, two step grandchildren, Wilton J. "Wil" Norris IV and wife Tilda of Mountain Home, AR; Lauren J. Norris Morgan and husband Bradan Morgan of Mountain Home, AR, her and her very beloved step-great- grandchild, Audrey Morgan of Mountain Home, AR. She also leaves behind her nieces and nephews, Todd Gardiner and wife Shawne of Crowley, Tisha Gardiner Collado and husband Mike of Lafayette, Jody Gardiner Hammes and husband Terry of Lafayette, Jarrod Gardiner and wife Kecia of Mire, and her sister-in-law, Norma Lee Dodge Gardiner of Rayne.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Wilton “Bill” Joseph Norris, Jr., parents, Gerard Wayman Gardiner and Madeline Sattler Gardiner, brother, James “Dee” Aldwin Gardiner, aunts and uncle, Etta Guidry, Emma and Walter “Joe” Daigle, goddaughter Jaime Gardiner Henderson.
A Rosary and Divine Mercy will be prayed Thursday, March 6, 2025 starting at 9:25 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rayne, LA.
The family requests that visitation be observed in Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne LA on Thursday, March 6, 2025 from 9:15 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Emma Gardiner Norris's family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Michael McCarthy with the Baton Rouge Clinic, St. Joseph Hospice and Carpenter House in Baton Rouge, her caregiver Cassie Battiste, Fr. Cleo and Fr. Anthony with Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Baton Rouge.
In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, P.O. Box 1507, Abbeville, LA 70511-1507, Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 455 Marquette Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70806.
Friends may view the obituary and guestbook online at www.gossenfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Gossen Funeral Home, Inc. of Rayne, LA, (337) 334-3141.