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Norris Poyner Turnipseed, a loving husband, devoted father and caring brother, was born on December 18, 1949 in Baltimore, Maryland to Willis Turnipseed and Alice P. Turnipseed. Norris was kind-hearted, charming and self-less. He was one of five children: two brothers, Willis (Billy), Carl, and two sisters, Everdean and Denise. As a young boy, he attended and was baptized at Fountain Baptist Church, where he established his relationship with God. Growing up Norris and his siblings worked alongside their parents in their flower shop, Biddle Florist. Norris inherited his mother’s God-given gift for floral design. For the next thirty-five years he continued to decorate churches for holidays, and provided flowers for special occasions. He was graduated from Baltimore City College and went on to attend what is now known as Morgan State University. While there, he became one of the Founders of Tau Alpha Upsilon Fraternity Incorporated. While attending Morgan, Norris met and later married Sara J. Mooney in 1973. From their union, they had the light of their lives, their only child, Kimberly L. Turnipseed. Years later he married Arline Ramsey in 1996, and became a caring stepfather to Courtney and Dashe, creating a loving blended family. Norris and Arline enjoyed spending time together – going out to the movies, hand-dancing and walking the beaches in Sarasota, Florida. They spent twenty-three loving years together. Norris and Arline were truly devoted to each other. In the early 70’s, Norris served his country as a member of the Maryland National Guard. Norris followed in the footsteps of his father and went to work at Conoco Chemical Company. Over a period of 30 years, he held a variety of positions of increasing responsibility including Stationary Engineer and Supervisor. In 2007, Norris began his second career with the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development’s Code Enforcement Division, as a Senior Inspector. He was passionate about the responsibilities entrusted to him. Norris enjoyed working with his team, co-workers and the community. Norris truly loved Baltimore. He cheered for his hometown teams, the Orioles and Ravens; loved all sports and even played flag football as a young man. He was an excellent cook and loved to eat steamed crabs; and entertain family and friends. Norris remained close with the people he grew up with in East Baltimore, attending parties, dances and social events. Norris enjoyed talking to his brothers and Kim on a daily basis. He was the Assistant GM to Kim’s Fantasy Football team. Together they spent countless hours strategizing her winning team. Anyone who knew Norris knows he loved listening to the oldies (nothing past the 80s). And how much he loved sports, clothes, cologne, westerns and army movies, and keeping up with old friends. His father Willis Turnipseed; mother, Alice P. Turnipseed; sister Everdean Bishop Smackum; sister Denise Mosley-Owens and brother, Willis “Billy” Turnipseed predecease him. To celebrate his memory, Norris is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Arline Ramsey Turnipseed; his cherished daughter, Kimberly L. Turnipseed (Tampa, FL); his caring step-children, Courtney Ramsey (Washington, DC) and Dashe (Ashley) Ramsey (Baltimore, MD); his caring brother Carl (Joyce) Turnipseed (Suffern, NY); adoring mother-in-law, Arline Stewart (Sarasota, FL); sister-in-law, Karen Woods (Sarasota, FL), brother-in-law Malcolm (Alona) Stewart (Atlantic City, NJ) and nieces, Danielle Turnipseed (Silver Spring, MD) and Eboni Jones (Baltimore, MD); nephews, William and Gordon Turnipseed (Oklahoma City, OK) and Willis “BJ” Turnipseed Jr. (Baltimore MD) and a host of family and friends.

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Norris P. Turnipseed

December 18, 1949 - December 5, 2019

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Tributes

Norris P. Turnipseed

December 18, 1949 - December 5, 2019

Obituary & Service

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