GERALDINE NORRIS FAMILY

I am Geraldine Norris, the proud widow of Larry Luther Norris, a devoted husband, father, and Marine Corps veteran whose legacy continues to guide our family. Larry was born on April 13, 1941, in Lexington, South Carolina, where he grew up surrounded by two brothers and four sisters. His love for sports - especially football - followed him through high school and junior college, and he even pursued semi-professional tryouts while working to support himself.

On April 28, 1961, just after his 20th birthday, Larry enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served honourably for four years, including a tour in Vietnam, and received the Good Conduct Medal in 1965. That same year, while visiting Los Angeles, Larry met me - Geraldine Brown - through a mutual friend. Our connection was immediate and lifelong. We married in 1965 and soon purchased our first home in Inglewood, California. Larry spent most of his career with Centennial Mills in Los Angeles before retiring, always balancing his dedication to work with his love for family. He found joy in coaching Little League baseball, proudly leading our sons’ team to a championship victory.

Larry instilled in our children the values of responsibility, respect and perseverance- teaching them that education, hard work, and integrity were the keys to building a meaningful life. His strength, discipline, and love continue to shape the lives of our children and grandchildren. To our family, Larry Luther Norris will always be remembered as a steady hand, a gentle teacher, and a man of great purpose whose example still lights our path.

DONALD CONLEY FAMILY

I am Donald D. Conley II, a proud Compton native and U.S. Navy veteran who has dedicated my life to service, community, and craftsmanship. After graduating from Verbum Dei High School in 1992, I enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Independence in Yokosuka, Japan, as an AIMD Technical Publications Librarian. My years of service taught me discipline, leadership, and a deep sense of duty.

After my time in the Navy, I worked with City National Bank before returning to my lifelong passion - barbering. In 2018, I opened Barberizm The Shoppe, a community centred barbershop in Compton that has become much more than a place for haircuts. It’s a hub for mentorship, connection, and giving back. Despite the challenges of losing my mother in 2020 and enduring the hardships of the pandemic, I’ve kept the shop thriving as a safe space for veterans, youth, and families. With three prior-military barbers on staff, we regularly host veteran stand-down events, back-to-school drives, and community give-backs - living proof that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. Barberizm continues to stand as a beacon of pride and purpose in Compton, helping reshape the narrative of our community one haircut and one conversation at a time.