Adney Gray Norton

February 7, 1930 ~ October 20, 2023

Adney Gray Norton, age 93, of Vernon, AL, passed away on Friday, October 20, 2023 at home, surrounded by family. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, October 22, 2023 at 3:00pm from the Otts Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow in Wofford Cemetery in Vernon, AL. Visitation will be held at the funeral home prior to the funeral service from 1:00pm until 3:00pm. Funeral services will be officiated by Bro. Dalton Eason, pastor of Lebanon Methodist Church and Bro. Joe Beckon, pastor of First Free Will Baptist Church of Vernon.

Gray was born on February 7, 1930 in Sulligent, Alabama. He was one of four children born to W.R. and Maude Norton. Gray graduated from Lamar County High School and moved to Birmingham shortly after. After about two years, he returned to Lamar County, where he happily spent the last 73 of his 93 years. He was married to Betty Jo Northam Norton for 73 years, and their relationship was an inspiration to all. They built the house in which they lived until his death, raising five children there in the original family home.Gray worked at McCoy Manufacturing for 40 years, spending 28 years in management, and retired as a plant manager. In addition to his career, Gray had a passion for farming and raised Black Angus cattle for many years.After retirement, Gray and his wife, Betty, loved to travel. They managed to visit every state in the United States, except for Hawaii. Driving the Alaskan Highway, visiting the Rocky Mountains, and exploring New England were especially memorable trips for them. Gray was a member of the Lebanon Methodist Church in Vernon, AL.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Jo Northam Norton of Vernon, AL; sister, Wilma Dean Norton Thomas of Montgomery, AL; sister, Betty Jane Norton Turman (James) of Sulligent, AL; son, Mickey Norton of Vernon, AL; daughter, Donna Bennett (William) of Woodstock, GA; son, Greg Norton (Karla) of Vernon, AL; Son, Chris Norton (Tonia) of Birmingham, AL; son, Terry Norton (Wendy) of Thomasville, AL; 11 Grandchildren; 13 Great Grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Gray was preceded in death by a sibling, Wynette Norton Mixon of Sheffield, AL.

Pallbearers: Will Norton, Jonathan Norton, Andrew Norton, Matthew Norton, Marcus Gray Norton, Matt Sherwood, John David Slayton, Leander Wallace and Jonathan Merrey

Few words can express the pride and gratitude his family feels for a man whose life was an example that many can only strive to emulate. Gray will be profoundly missed by a vast array of family members and friends.