Mrs. Ruth Evelyn Kincaid Norris, 92, of Lebanon, died Sunday, May 21, 2023, at Witham Memorial Hospital in Lebanon.
She was the third of seven children born to Charles O. Dillon and Sarah Lillian Warren Dillon. Ruth graduated from Lebanon High School in 1948. In the summer of 1947, she met a boy by the name of Charles Kincaid, who attended Kirklin High School and played varsity football. They went on a few dates and Charles asked Ruth to go “steady.” Ruth told Charles that it would not work, as they attended different schools. Come the fall of 1947, Charles stood at the steps of Lebanon High School; he enrolled at Lebanon for his senior year. They were married September 18, 1951. Ruth and Charles moved east of Lebanon, where she started her career as a farmer’s wife and mother. They were blessed with three children. What a great life they had. They worked hard, but had good times, too. Their home had a “swinging door,” always something going on while their three children were in school. Slumber parties, wiener and hog roasts, hay rides, Sorority parties, Shriner Antique Car Clubs, class reunions, family reunions, and opening their home to strangers during a blizzard, sharing our warmth and food with others. Others admired the life they created.
Charles passed away May 1, 1985, after a 10-year battle with cancer. Ruth stayed on the family farm for five years, then moved into town. In May of 1992, Ruth married Herman Norris in Memphis, TN. They spent the winter months in Fort Myers, FL, until Herman passed away in 2017.
Ruth enjoyed card games, especially Bridge. Her other hobbies were bicycling and water skiing. Ruth bowled for a good number of years on winning teams that won first place in league play and tournaments. Ruth was inducted into the Lebanon Bowlers Hall of Fame in 1981.
Ruth is survived by her children: Kenneth (Nancy) Kincaid, Jean Ann (Rick) Burtron, and Brian (Janet) Kincaid; five grandchildren: Michael (Krista) Burtron, Amanda (Joe) Evans, Katie Kincaid, Matthew (Kelsey) Kincaid, and Maureen (Mitchell) Smith; four great grandsons: Kobe and Carson Burtron, Mason McWaters, and Aiden Evans; siblings: Helen (Earl) Smith, Nancy (Myron) Dickerson, Carol (Robert) Duncan, Charles R. Dillon; and step-daughter, Susan (Joe) Hawkins.
Ruth was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Joanne; brother, William Dillon; her parents; husbands, Charles Kincaid and Herman Norris; and step-daughter, Marilyn Gautier
In lieu of flowers, please make a monetary contribution to Kappa Delta Phi Sorority to support their civic contribution. Ruth was a member for over 50 years, since 1964, and cherished the friendships that were made. Or to the Boone County Cancer Society.
Family and friends will gather Friday, May 26, for visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 2 p.m. in the Strawmyer & Drury Mortuary, 2400 N. Lebanon Street, Lebanon. Ruth will be laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lebanon.