Norma Jean Collins
February 2, 1929 - April 23, 2021

Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home 943 Highway 425 North Monticello, AR 71655 Map & Directions Graveside Service Oakland Cemetery N. Hyatt Monticello ,  AR 71655 4/27/2021 at 4:00 p.m. Map & Directions   Oakland Cemetery N. Hyatt St Monticello, AR 71655 Map & Directions

Norma Jean Crute Collins, of Monticello, passed away Friday April 23 in the comfort of
her home with her three sons at her side. She leaves behind her sons, Leighton Collins ( Mona)
of Bullhead Arizona, Burton Collins (Margaret) of Franklin Tennessee and Lawrence Collins
(Karen) of Park Ridge IL; her five grandchildren, Christopher Collins (Jamee Collins),
Madison Collins, Jessica Muscarello (Kevin Muscarello), Erika Collins, and Kevin Lawrence
Collins. Great Grandchildren, Nick Esterguard, Caley Collins, Drew Collins, Kingston Collins,
and Maddox Collins. She is preceded in death by her parents Luna Belle and Hulbert Crute of
Monticello.

In 1969 Norma Jean Founded and Directed South Suburban Youth Hotline in Park Forest IL.
Through the years she helped thousand of youths recover from problems including drug
addiction, parental abuse, rape, bullying, attempted suicide just to name a few. She trained a
staff of volunteers to lend a caring ear to those in need of someone to talk to, someone to
listen, someone to help; Someone Cares, was her motto. Under her directions Hotline’s crisis
intervention services helped many young people reach their full potential. In 2004 she was
honored for her volunteer work with an induction into the Park Forest Hall of Fame.

Norma Jean grew up in Wilmar AR, as a child she would entertain at social gatherings, singing
and dancing as Lil Miss Norma Jean. She moved to Monticello as a young teen where she had
several jobs, ranging from working as an assistant mechanic in her dads Service Station, in
sales at his appliance store and as a medical assistant at the local Doctors office. In 1950 she married George Collins of Fordyce and they had three sons Leighton Pierce, Burton Banks, and Lawrence Holmes. After raising her boys in Chicago she returned to Monticello to take care of her ailing parents. After this part of her life, her years were filled with fun and adventure such as visiting her grandchildren, often attending weddings and witnessing new births. She even took time out to executive produce The LA Drama Critique’s award winning play, Chapter Two. Her interest in the Entertainment Industry led to her to an appointment as Director for the Arkansas State Film Commission. She was profound, she was strong, she fought bravely for what she believed in. She loved her family with a passion and if she ever met anyone without a smile, she gave them one of hers.

Graveside service for Mrs. Collins will be 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at Oakland Cemetery in Monticello, AR. Online guestbook at www.stephensondearman.com.