Norris "Junior" Crites, age 87, of Petersburg, WV passed away on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at Grant Memorial Hospital in Petersburg. Mr. Crites was born on December 25, 1933 in Rig, WV the son of the late Clinton Conway Crites and Wilda Mae (Wratchford) Crites. Norris was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Yvonne W. Crites on December 16, 2017.

Mr. Crites attended the Steel Run School located in Rig, WV, the Rig Assembly of God, and the South Branch Baptist Church in Petersburg. Norris was a proud Veteran of the United States Army serving during the Korean Conflict from 1952-1955. Junior was a member of both the American Legion Post #78 and the Potomac Highlands VFW Post #6454 as well as the Potomac Highlands VFW Post #6454 Honor Guard faithfully attending and making sure fallen comrades received the tributes they deserved. He was previously employed with the former Tannery in Petersburg and with George Hyman Construction. Norris enjoyed watching and cheering on the WV Mountaineers and Washington Football Team.

Mr. Crites is survived by: 4 daughters, Teresa Lambert, Barbara Crites (Fred), Debra Jones all of Petersburg and Melissa Pezzanite of Keyser, WV; 2 sons, Darl VanMeter of Petersburg, and John F. Crites of Dorcas, WV; 2 sisters, Linda Sherman (Wendell) and Lucille Shupe both of Moorefield; 3 brothers, Virgil Crites and Kenneth "Sonny" Crites both of Petersbug and Curtis Crites of Rig; 17 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Crites is preceded in death by: 4 brothers, Larry Crites, Garry Crites, Carl Crites and Darl "Ted" Crites and 1 sister, Ollie "Tootle" Mongold.

Viewing hours for the public will be on Friday January 15, 2021 between the hours of 10AM and 5PM in the Chapel of the Basagic Funeral Home in Petersburg. Graveside services will be held at South Branch Valley Memorial Gardens in Petersburg, WV, on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at 1PM with Pastor Brad Taylor officiating. Military honors will be bestowed by the US Army and Potomac Highland VFW Post #6454 Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 1000 Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38010-9908 . Memories and words of comfort may be left at www.basgic.com or on Facebook at Basagic Funeral Home. Due to COVID-19 and out of respect for others, we require face coverings be worn and to maintain social distancing at all times .

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