Possibly the only other woman to serve the hospital nearly as long as Miss Hill, Miss Norkett also devoted her life to the community hospital.
Statesville Record & Landmark
July 16th, 1989
Miss Lillie Elizabeth Norket, 87, well-known nurse, official and trustee of Davis Community Hospital for more than 60 years, died Friday at 4 p.m. at Davis Community Hospital after a 10-month illness.
A native of Mecklenburg County, she was born Dec. 4, 1961, and was a daughter of the late Joseph Lee and Sally Hastings Norket.
Miss Norket graduated from the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Charlotte in 1924, and came to Davis Hospital in 1925 as a private duty nurse to care for a critically ill surgical patient. She was asked later that year to accept the position of head nurse.
In 1934, she ended her nursing duties to become secretary and treasurer of the institution, and was currently a member of the board of trustees of the hospital.
Miss Norket was honored in 1983 with the Dr. Thomas F. Frist Humanitarian Award, presented by Hospital Corporation of America in recognition of employees who “go the extra mile beyond the call of duty by demonstrating exceptional care and service to their hospital and its patients.” First was the founder of ‘RCA.
When chosen for the award, Miss Norket was praised for her many hours of service to patients and families, as well as to fellow employees.
In 1986, the Iredlel County Board of Commissioners proclaimed “Miss Lillie Norket Day” as a tribute to her 60 years of service to Davis Community Hospital.
She was also was awarded a certificate from Gov. Jim Martin, and a clock from the hospital and staff, during a reception held in her honor.
She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, and a former member of the church choir. She also was a member of the MacDowell Music Club.
Surviving are one brother, James Leroy Norkett of Huntersville; two sisters, Mrs. Sadie Dagenhart o€ Charlotte, and Mrs. Ethel Meacham of El Paso, Tex. ; four nieces and eight nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church, with Dr. Grant Sharp and Mrs. Phyllis
Barker, chaplain at Davis Hospital, officiating. Burial will be held
at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Iredell Memorial Gardens.
There will be no visitation.
Memorials may be made to the Lillie Norket Nursing Scholarship
Fund, through the Sunshine Volunteers, in care of Davis Community
Hospital, P.O., Box 18011, Statesvile, N.C., 28677.
Hunch-Johnson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements
Miss Norket’s name is remembered today via the scholarship mentioned in her obituary, which is still given to nursing students by the Sunshine Volunteer Association of Davis Regional Medical Center.
In addition, a small walking trail adjacent to the new hospital has been named in her memory.