Annie Ruth Norton

Annie Ruth Fallin Norton, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away in Miramar Beach, Florida on January 30, 2021 at the age of 92. Ruth, as known to family and friends, was born as the second of eight children to parents Alva and Mattie Lou Fallin on December 14th, 1928 in Ty Ty, Georgia.  She grew up in Tifton Georgia on their family farm and attended Tifton High school.  She enjoyed high school athletics, shined as captain of the girls varsity basketball team, and graduated in the class of 1947.  She was married to her husband, Hubert Earl Norton in the Nazarene church in Tifton on January 7, 1950.  A proud military wife, she supported her husband through his four year service in the United States Air Force from 1952 - 1956 during the Korean War.  After Hugh’s military service, they lived in Troy Alabama where they welcomed their only child, Karen Kay Jones, in 1957.  The family moved to the Atlanta, Georgia area in 1959 where they would found the Norton Insurance Company, which later became Norco Holdings, of which Ruth was a founding member and CEO.  Hugh and Ruth would become full time residents of their much loved Destin, Florida in 2000, and spent many beach days with their 5 grandchildren; Jessica, Emily, Drew, Daniel, and Lucas.  

Ruth is remembered by her family as being a proud Southerner, a great story teller, a sports enthusiast (especially for her beloved Atlanta Falcons), quick witted, and her family’s greatest cheerleader.  She had a wonderful laugh, strong convictions, funny sayings, steadfast positivity, and showed unwavering love and support for her family.

Ruth is survived by her husband of 71 years, Hugh Norton; her siblings Margie Applewhite, Syble Thomas, Wallace Fallin, Edie Gregory, Patricia Finch; her daughter Karen Jones and son-in-law Andy Jones; grandchildren Jessica Marsaw (Alexander), Emily Rusch (Jonathan), Andrew Jones (Jessica), Daniel Jones (Melissa), Lucas Jones (Thessy); and 13 great-grandchildren Hailey, Melanie, Lindsey, Stacey, Jack, Tucker, George, Landon, Kaylee, Shelby, Charlie, Harrison, and Bennett.  Ruth is predeceased by her siblings Thomas Fallin (deceased 1927) and Eugene Fallin (deceased 2010).

Graveside services will be held on Thursday, February 4th, 2021 before Ruth is laid to rest in Destin, Florida.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Annie Ruth Norton, please visit our floral store.