Florence- Bobbie Jean Avant Norris, 78, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015 at the McLeod Hospice House.

Visitation will be Friday, Jan 23, 2015 from 6 to 8:00 p.m. at Layton-Anderson Funeral Home. Graveside services will be Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. at Florence Memorial Gardens.

Bobbie Jean was born in Effingham, SC, the daughter of the late John and Estelle Allen.

She was preceded in death by her husband Archie Norris, brother, John Allen, Jr and sister,Carolyn Allen.

Survivors are a daughter, Carol Lynn Avant, Fountain Inn, SC; son, John E. Avant Jr.and his wife Rhonda, Florence; daughter, Lisa Kaufman and husband, Bennet, Ijamsville,MD; grandchildren, John Brandon Avant and his wife Casey, Columbia, SC, Ronald Brooks Avant and wife Meghan, Greenville, NC, Jonathan Mendel Kaufman, Ijamsville, MD;great-grandchildren, Bailey Grace Avant and Dylan Mackenzie Avant.

Bobbie Jean retired from Carolinas Hospital Systems after 39 years of loyal service. She owned and operated a hair salon at her home in Effingham for many years. After retiring she enjoyed fitness classes at McLeod Health & Fitness Center, traveling with Senior groups and playing canasta with friends. She was a devoted mother and grandmother and as matriarch was the center around which her children and grandchildren gathered at holidays, vacation and other life events.

The family would like to thank Bobbie Jean's doctors, nurses and caregivers at McLeod Cancer Center, the 7th floor McLeod Hospital and the McLeod Hospice House.

Memorials may be made to McLeod Hospice House, P O Box 100551, Florence, SC 29501.

You may sign the memory wall at www.laytonandersonfh.com