In Loving Memory of
Norma Jean Hawkins Bell
May 19, 1929 – April 6, 2021
Virtual Celebration of Life Gathering was held on April 12, 2021 at 2:00 PM EDT
Norma Jean Hawkins Bell (Mum) passed peacefully surrounded by family at her home in Boca Raton Florida on April 6, 2021 at the age of 91. Norma may have passed from this life, but she lives on in those who knew and loved her. At the center of her life were people: her family, neighbors, and many dear friends.
Born in 1929 in Quenemo Kansas, to Aletha Crum and Charles Hawkins, she was the oldest of three. When the family lumber business failed during the Great Depression her mother became the postmaster to support the family while her aunt ran the local tearoom in Topeka. These events heavily influenced the path of her life. She attended Kansas University on scholarship and received a degree in speech pathology. Upon graduation in 1951 she married Norman Lee Bell, the love of her life. After living briefly at Patuxent River Naval Base in MD, and Eglin Air Force Base near Fort Walton Beach FL, they moved to Huntsville, AL where she raised her family and taught special education in the school system, later serving as the director of special education for 18 years. She volunteered extensively while living in Huntsville – standing up to help those less fortunate, especially children through her work with Court Appointed Juvenile Advocates (CAJA). She believed that every child deserves the best chance that life can afford.
As the matriarch, all that was proper fun and exciting was considered fair game. When her feet hit the floor each day, she dared the devil to say: “oh crap, she’s up!”. She would often say that “..well behaved women rarely make history”. These embodied her spirit of life and her love of fun and good times with family, friends, and strangers. And in doing so, she taught us to draw the circle of life as wide as possible, to love, listen, and cherish one another.
Mum had a long-standing interest in genealogy and saw herself as the family historian, connecting the past to the future. She drew inspiration from the travails of the relatives that preceded her, providing a guiding light and inspiration for difficult times. She frequently recounted tales of her forebears: a young woman leaving England for a better life in America, or her beloved grandfather living on the prairie tending cattle for a summer with a horse and rifle. Another recounted a German immigrant boasting of his talents for singing, “I sing good because I sing loud.” These stories of family and country were frequently retold to her grandchildren who spent time with her and Norman every summer as they traveled US and Canada in their motorhome. Norma felt these stories were some of life’s most important lessons, along with fine chocolate and how to properly have a “backwards dinner”, enjoying your deserts first.
After her move to Boca Raton, Norma and Norman joined the United Methodist Church in West Boca. There she made many new friends that she came to adore. And as a group they were known as the Joy Club, meeting often at each other’s homes. They also enjoyed dining out together, always making sure to wear their hats.
Norma is survived by her husband Norman Bell, children Charles Douglas (Emmy) Bell and Barbara Bell (Brad) Baggett, six grandchildren, siblings Mary Lou Fitzgerald and Charles Hawkins both of California, and many, many friends and family members who were included in her vast circle.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Center for Learning Disabilities, your local library, or another educational charity of your choice.
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Mrs. Bell was such a good special ed. teacher of mine from 1969-1972! Also, she was a nice woman. If she was a member of the Methodist Church, that gives me the strong impression she was a christian, and of that I am so glad! I last saw her at Chick-Filet in Parkway City Mall in 1980 when I was 17. Mrs. N. J. Bell and another special ed. instructor of mine were my chaparones the day of the special olympics, 11-April, 1970 in Athens, Alabama. What a fond and sweet memory I’ve always had of that event, and I reckon I always will.
Steve Dean
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Norma was my director as a young speech pathologist. I remember her smile and no nonsense manner on the job. She loved Monte Sano and her “Norm”. Bless her soul always.
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I consider myself fortunate to have gotten to know Norma as a next-door neighbor for over twenty years as we enjoyed bird watching and learning about wildflowers as well as participating in community activities. So glad to have many fond memories of shared meals, at our homes, at local restaurants, RV camping, or searching out a new tearoom. Her wit, sense of humor and wisdom made any conversation special.. Knowing Norma certainly enriched my life in many ways!
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What really sticks out in our memories is Norma Jean’s million dollar smile and her wonderful laugh. She was full of life and light. Seeing the love Norma and Norm had for one another was inspirational. Norma left a legacy of lives changed for the better. We will miss her, but do take comfort knowing she is at peace in the arms of our Lord.
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Love and sympathies from Doug and Sharon Dailey.
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Norm and Norma Jean were always very kind to me and my parents, as a child growing up, and especially during my dad’s later health challenges. I remain forever grateful. My sympathies to their family.
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I missed my dear friend Norma since the virus closed our
Joy club meetings and church attendance. We shared many memories and laughs over our living times in Huntsville Ala.,although not at the same time. Too, we are the same age but she always seemed younger than me. Love her dearly.
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Norma always instilled a sense of joy and fascination with life in everything she said and did. It amazed me that she would invite a crazy group of old women (The JOY Club from her church) to her house for their Christmas party every year, even though it was a monumental undertaking for her! She always acted like she enjoyed every moment! Norma never passed up an opportunity to help people in need, even when she herself was struggling physically. She was the ultimate example of Christian love, acceptance and giving. She and Norm were also lifelong learners and always took the time to share their knowledge of birds, medicine and many other topics. I’m reminded of a saying I heard long ago: “Wherever I go, people come into my life and go out of it, touching me where I can feel it, and …. I wasn’t through knowing them yet.” Rest in peace, Norma.
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Soon after moving to Monte Sano, Norma stole my heart with her “tea parties” and fun, fancy dishes for every occasion! Her heart of gold, love for everyone and vivacious spirit will live on in all who knew her.
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I am so thankful that i got to be with Norm and Norma on several occasions. As retired teachers, we had much in common. We had a mutual friend in Huntsville. She was a. Delightful conversationalist! I loved how she and Nor took each grandchild on a ver special trip in their camper!
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Dear Norma,
I will miss you. In fact, we will all miss you.. You were a most interesting, kind and happy lady. I sat behind you in church. You always had a smile for me and you always reached back and squeezed my hand. When I gave my little talk on Wales, my leaving home at a young age to Canada. And now, joining the Joy club, you were all ears!
Norm, be safe and be well. Feeling sad for you and the family.
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I will cherish the fond memories of aunt Norma. She was a pleasure to be around especially learning of our family history! Our prayers are with you and your family now and always.
Love – The Smith Family – Don, Suzie, Donny & Hannah
Norma Jean was a wonderful person and and we’re so lucky to have had her as our big sister! We will treasure the fun times we have all had together and she will always be in our heart.
With much love – Mary Lou Fitzgerald & Charles Hawkins
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I’m so sorry to have lost a wonderful aunt. All the fond memories will be cherished. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your whole family!
Love,
The Smith Family – Don, Suzie, Donny & Hannah
Prayers are with you all on the loss of Norma Jean. She was a special sister and I can treasure all of the wonderful times we had together.
All my love – Lou Fitzgerald & Charles Hawkins
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I will always remember Norma’s smile, her kindness to all ,and her compassion. She was always so friendly and easy going. I feel blessed to have gotten to know her better during our Joy Club activities and Bible Study meetings. She helped calm my fears when I was feeling worried about a medical diagnosis by listening and offering helpful advice. We often shared cute and memorable teacher stories. She was a very special person and she will be missed by everyone.
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Norma was one terrific lady with a creative and positive attitude in every situation. Her smile and wit was second to none, and she was always there to help others in times of need. She will be missed greatly.
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Thinking of Norma, and a line from a song.
“And in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love you make”
I know she was carried on a wave of love, surrounded by angels.
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When Norma first came to our church with her daughter Barbara, I was the Greeter and I had invited them to the Fellowship Hall after the sermon.
Since then , Norma had been closed friends with us, she was the President of the Joy Club and we had Bible Studies together!
When Norma quitted driving, I picked her up to church n brought her home. We talked a lot and very happy together!
I really miss the Sunday I can share the ride with her.
Norma- Love ???? you much !! ????????????????????????♂️????♂️????????
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Norma , Norma & I were friends from 1st Methodist Church. Every week we would visit one of their drs & we would go out for lunch. We did this for at least 4 or 5 yrs only to be stopped by the virus. She has left a hole in my life & heart. I will miss her dreadfully.