Born in Winston Salem, North Carolina, Xanthene S. Norris grew up and attended the public schools in Greenville, South Carolina. She earned a Bachelor's Degree from Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia and a Master's Degree from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. She is a retired educator, served as Greenville County teacher, high school counselor and adult education director.

Presently, she is Greenville County Councilwoman, representing District 23, elected for three terms since 1997. She currently serves on the Public Safety, Human Services and Administration Committee and the Public Works, Planning & Development Committee. She is the past Vice-Chairperson of the Public Safety Committee. She is Trustee, College Ministry Chair and Personnel Chair of Springfield Baptist Church, a member of the Order of Jessamine, Life member (Cluster VIII Coordinator 1987 - 1994) Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Peace Center Board, the University Center of Greenville and past UNCF - Upstate Chair, 2005 and 2006 Gala Chair.

Her honors include 2005 Women Making History Award, 2005 Church and Community, Living Legend MLK Award, Greenville Tech Unsung Hero Award (2005), UNCF Inc. Award (2004-05), National Organization for Women Award (2003), NAACP W.F. Gibson Freedom Fighter Award (2003), Greenville Links Service Award (2003), Human Relations Award (2001), Omega Psi Phi Inc. Award (2000), American Association of University Women Honoree (1998), Martin Luther King Award (1993) of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, NAACP Education Award (1992), Black Heritage Award (1992), and the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina Service Award (1991).

Ms. Norris is Local Executive Director of Miss Palmetto Scholarship Program, a Miss America Affiliate and a South Carolina Pageant Approved Judge. She has been a Greenville Democratic State Convention Delegate since 1997 and was State Democratic Delegate to the 2004 Democratic National Convention.