Norris Whiteside
Norris Talleyrand Whiteside, a resident of Atlanta for more than 50 years, died Friday at 90 years old in Piedmont Hospital. He is survived by his daughters, Laura Chumley and Betzi Whiteside, son-in-law Philip Chumley, grandson Norris Grahame, nieces Vicky Shore, Connie Streitberger, Sandy Litster and nephews Tal Cloud and Jim Ward. Norris served as a Navy pilot during World War II, achieving the rank of Lieutenant. Afterwards, he worked for Union Carbide, living in Morocco for seven years before returning to the U.S. and settling briefly in New York City, where he met and married Penny. They moved to West Virginia where the girls were born, then to Atlanta, where they started two businesses: Whiteside Equipment and Southeast Filter, with locations throughout the Southeast. He eventually was elected Chairman of the International Filtration Society, traveling around the world speaking and teaching. Always active in the community, he was part of the founding group for St. Anne’s Church, serving on the Vestry and in other roles. He was Treasurer of the Executive Council of the Episcopalian Church for many years. When he retired, he moved to St. Simons Island, and became a docent at the Lighthouse. He and Penny returned to Atlanta in 1993. Norris was a gourmet cook, and avid gardener, always willing to try something new. He will be sorely missed.
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I remember sharing my confirmation and several Thanksgiving’s with Norris and family growing up. Those were very special times. So glad he was able to enjoy his 90th birthday and meet Ralph.
Uncle Norris took me to my first professional perfrmance,”South Pacific”. He and I had great times out on the town in SanFrancisco when I was a middle school student. We often disagreed, but we have always loved each other.
What I liked about Great Great Uncle Norris’s birthday party. It was so fun! I enjoyed meeting the people, eating the food, and spending time with Uncle Norris. He was good at telling jokes and funny stories.
My heart is aching right now, but I take comfort remembering how much Uncle Norris enjoyed seeing all of his friends and family members during his 90th birthday celebration. We have all lost a wonderful friend who was always there for each of us and made our world a much better place.
Betzi and Family,
So sorry for your loss. I know your father lived a full life, and you can take comfort in that. I always enjoyed hearing about his travels and adventures. Love to you all. Cinda Skelton
On behalf of the Whiteside Family Association I send our condolences to Norris’ family. The WFA will sorely miss his wisdom and guidance.
Betzi, your dad was such an amazing person. He was always ready to travel and do such interesting things. I loved to hear him tell about his travels.
You and Laura have my sympathy and my prayers. I hope that we can get together some time soon. Take care. Love, Anna Jo
Betzi my prayers go out to you….such a loss…an amazing man with so many accomplishments. Also he had an amazing daughter in you!!!
L
D
Betzi – you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Love you!
Nothing but good thoughts and prayers heading your way. You girls take care. One day I’d love to meet Norris. Big hugs to both of you. Hopefully I can work out time off on wednesday if work will allow it. Right now a lot going on at work. Believe me I will do my best. All I want you to know Is I love you all and my thoughts and prayers are with all. Love you–Rissa
Dear Betzi,
I am so sorry for your loss. You are a great tribute to two wonderful parents. I so admire your sense of adventure and I know that you got much of it from your father. I’m sending you many hugs and prayers.
Betzi,
My prayers and thought are with you and your family. Please let me know if there is anything you need.
Many Blessings,
Kim
Betzi: What an amazing father, certainly reflected in you. You can always take comfort that whenever the need arose, you and your sister made wise and loving decisions for his care.
We are sorry that we never met your Dad; but, know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Betzi,
My thoughts and prayers with you, your sister, and family. Your dad has left you a wonderful legacy to follow living your lives to the fullest. May you be comforted by your memories of times shared together.
Janet Hodges
Norris was a great friend of our family’s and we will miss him dearly. I’m so glad he got to see my two year old recently. My favorite memory of Norris is when he would meet me and my church friends at a restaurant near his house and tell stories from his youth. We always left with a feeling that Norris had done and seen more in his life than we could imagine. Betzi and Laura – you were blessed to have such a wonderful father.
Laura and Betzi,
I am so very sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing.
Your Dad was a wonderful man and I am sure you know he was an inspiration to not only my Dad but to me and all of my brothers. He without question the single most influential person in helping my Dad start Northeast Filter & Equipment Company. That was back in 1982 and your Dad’s legacy still lives on.
Aside from being a mentor to my Dad and all of us, your Dad was one of the most kind and thoughtful people we have ever met.
As you know your Dad would always provided your summer beach house in St. Simons Island to our family so we could enjoy a wonderful family vacation every summer. You will never know how much we appreciated his sincere generosity.
To this day when we get together for family gatherings we always reflect back on the great memories we have from our family vacations on St. Simons Island. Myself and my entire family will cherish those wonderful memories as well as all of the great memories of your Dad for all of our lives.
He truly will be missed by all of us. We wish you both the very best!
Ron Coates
Norris was a gentleman’s, gentleman and a very dear friend to our family. He is in our thoughts and prayers and he will be sorely missed.
Laura & Betzi, your father was a wonderful man who left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Our family will miss him very much but will always remember his charm, humor, wisdom and generosity. The highlight to our summers growing up were the trips we made to your home on St. Simons. We were blessed to have him and the “Whiteside Family” as our friends.
Thoughts & Prayers are with both of you.
Kevin Coates
Betzi and Laura,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families at this time.
Dearest Betzi and Family,
I know that some of your best memories were made when all of you took those fabulous and exotic vacations together. I always loved the tree at Trickum that was planted in memory of your mom, Penny, and I wish there was some way that you could add your dad’s name to the plaque by the tree. I know that Father’s Day must have been a very difficult day, and my thoughts and prayers were with you then, as they are now. May you find peace and comfort tomorrow as you lay your father to rest, and to know in your hearts, that he is at peace and out of pain. Please accept my most sincere sympathy at this time.
Dear Betzi & Laura, I am so sorry to learn of your father’s passing. You were both the Light of His Life! You are blessed to have him live to 90. He will be sorely missed. He was a kind, gentle and generous man. We all loved him, he was a friend Never to be forgotten.
With deepest sympathy,
Jean Coates
Betzi, Laura & Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I believe that every soul is a beautiful gift from God & your father will always be remembered as a very special blessing.
You are in my thoughts & prayers.
With much love & peace, Karin Johnson
Dear Laura and Betzi,
You were fortunate to have you Father for so many year; however that doesn’t make it any easier. Rowena and I enjoyed many happy times with your Mom & Dad. We are thinking about both of you today
Tommy & Rowena
Laura and Betzi,
I was so sorry to hear about your Dad. I remember many fun times in Hanover West with both of your parents. They even gave a party for Robert and I when we married. Know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Donna
So sorry I couldn’t be at the service as I was out of town on business. You were all in my thoughts though and I was having fond remembrances of my buddy Norris all day Wednesday.
I had the pleasure of working with Norris for almost 15 years. He was always a gentleman with an interesting story to tell of his amazing life. Unfortunately, I lost contact many years back but I am not surprised to read the loving comments of others about him and his impact on their lives. He was truly a kind man.
My thoughts and prayers are with you Betzi & Laura at this time of loss.
Sincerely,
Dave Rand
Dunwoody