Family Spotlight: Meet The Norris Family

By Josh Hudson

This month, Stroll Inside the Gates recognizes the Norris family, new members of our wonderful community. Emily Norris grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, while Patrick Norris originally hails from Sandersville, Georgia, also known as the kaolin capital of the world. For their undergraduate studies, Emily attended the University of Alabama, and Patrick attended the University of Georgia.

The couple first met while they were both living in Atlanta. “Atlanta was a wonderful chapter for us. It is where we met, started our family, and made so many memories with friends nearby that we will always treasure. But this season of life in Greensboro fits our family perfectly, and we already feel so at home here. It is hard to believe we have only been here a little more than a year.” Emily and Patrick are now happily settled with their two children, Emma, who is five, and Wilson, who is one.

Despite their alma maters being sworn rivals, Emily and Patrick love to cheer on each other’s teams, and they even sat together at the Georgia versus Alabama game this season. Emily loves visiting Athens, though she jokes that the kids have tipped the household balance with all their Georgia gear.

Both Emily and Patrick are very successful in their chosen careers. Emily is currently the COO for Luxury Lake Oconee Real Estate Group. Patrick, on the other hand, founded Norris Legal Family Office in Atlanta in 2011. They specialize in offering tailored legal services for investors, entrepreneurs, and family offices.

The primary thing that drew the Norris family to Reynolds was the tight-knit community and the incredible location. “We knew we wanted to recreate the small-town upbringing we both had growing up, and we also wanted to be closer to family,” continues Emily. “Patrick’s family is mostly in Sandersville, and mine is now in Charlotte. Our dear friends, the Dickey family, are the ones who first introduced us to this wonderful community, and with every visit, we loved it more and more. We could really envision a simpler lifestyle here to raise our family. When it came time for Emma to start school, we took a leap of faith and applied her for Pre-K at LOA. She was accepted, and we never looked back.” The Norris family has called Reynolds home since July 2024.

“For us, our favorite part about living here is the sense of community,” adds Emily. “We have never experienced such a warm welcome. When we moved, I was seven months pregnant with Wilson. Within a month, two dear friends hosted a baby shower at The Tavern to introduce me to other moms with children close in age to Emma, who might be in her Pre-K class. We still look back fondly on those early days, full of shared meals, dinners arranged to help us meet new families, and countless thoughtful gestures. When Wilson was born, we even received meals and gifts from people we had not yet met. We love how family-friendly this neighborhood is and the many traditions that bring everyone together, including Breakfast with Santa, the Easter Egg Hunt, and the Mother-Daughter Tea.”

The Norris family proudly attends Christ Our King and Savior Catholic Church, and they are very excited about the growing youth program there. In addition to being part of that congregation, the family also loves supporting other local churches. Emma joins friends at Lakeside Church on Wednesday nights and for summer camps, and she visits Lake Oconee Church for the wonderful program they offer as well. The whole family is grateful to live in a community that is deeply faith-filled, with so many opportunities to nurture their love for God.

In their free time, Emily and Patrick love supporting their kids in every way. “We are in the season where they are at the center of our world,” states Patrick. “That was very important to us when moving here. We wanted to focus on their activities, prioritize schooling, and help them feel grounded in the community. One day, we will get back to our own interests, but for now, we love watching Emma play soccer and basketball, chasing after Wilson as he learns to walk, visiting Athens when we can, and enjoying all the activities Reynolds has to offer. ”

Locally, The Tavern is the Norris family’s go-to spot for a casual family meal or a quick grab-and-go dinner. For date night, they love Table at the Lake because it reminds them of a favorite restaurant from their time in Atlanta. ACE Hardware has also become a family staple. It offers a little something for everyone and is a true treasure trove for gifts.

“Thank you for featuring our family. We are grateful to be part of such a welcoming community and look forward to staying involved in the years ahead.” - The Norris Family