Norma Jo Madden

Obituary for
Norma Jo Madden
Mrs. Norma Jo (Evins) Madden of Newport, Arkansas, departed this life on Friday, June 2, 2023, at the age of 84. She was born October 23, 1938, in Pennington, the daughter of Clarence Douglas and Minnie Mae (Ford) Evins.
Mrs. Norma Jo was a 1956 graduate of Newport High School, where she played saxophone in the marching band. Following graduation, she began working as a telephone operator at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Newport. Mrs. Norma Jo made many lifelong friends during her 18 years at the telephone company. In 1974, she began working as a secretary at the Beedeville Public School and worked there until it closed in 1985. Mrs. Norma Jo then became the secretary at Newport Junior High School, until her retirement in 1995.
Mrs. Norma Jo was a devoted Christian whose love of the Lord was evidenced by her caring servant's heart. She was always willing to give love and care to her family, church family, and friends. Mrs. Norma Jo was a beloved and active member of the Beedeville Church of Christ. She has served the church for many years helping to plan and execute the Ladies Day and Vacation Bible School. Over several decades, Mrs. Norma Jo taught children's Bible class, doing so as long as she was able. She instilled a sense of Christian service in her students, taking them to visit nursing homes and shut-ins, and also taught her girls to care for elderly church members by making fruit and goodie baskets to share and to spend time with people who were alone.
Mrs. Norma Jo was an avid reader for many years. The pastime she enjoyed best was talking on the telephone. At one point, she had two cell phones, one Verizon and one AT&T to ensure she never missed a call due to lack of service.
Mrs. Norma Jo's greatest Earthly love was her family. She loved each one unconditionally. Mrs. Norma Jo traveled many miles to care for her grandchildren and was always available at a moment's notice for anyone in need.
Mrs. Norma Jo will forever be remembered for her beautiful, genuine smile that could light up a room, her great love of family and friends, and her love of the Lord.
Mrs. Norma Jo was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Stanley Keith Madden, Sr.; two brothers, C.A. Evins, and Shelley F. Evins; two nephews, Kevin Evins and Grant Evins; and her parents.
She is survived by her children, Stanita Mae (Madden) Taylor and husband, Joe, of Newport and Stanley Keith Madden, Jr., of Beedeville, Arkansas; six grandchildren, Kent Madden and wife, Kloey, of Cabot, Kaleb Madden and wife, Alex, of Vilonia, Kristen Madden of Vilonia, Hope Taylor and Robbie of Cave City, Emma Jo Taylor of Newport, and Madden Mae Taylor of Newport; six great-grandchildren, Karson, Ivey, Archie, Callum, Taylor, and Parker; a niece whom she loved as a daughter, Kim Evins, who showed her love in return by always being there for Mrs. Norma Jo; numerous loving in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and a lifetime of friends.
Friends may visit at Jackson's Newport Funeral Home, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. until noon. Graveside services will follow at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at Madden Cemetery at Cow Lake.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Kent Madden, Kaleb Madden, Madden Taylor, Michael Reynolds, Butch Madden, Dan Thomas, Jr., Bart Gaskin, Mac Madden, Jeff Madden, and Sam Evins. Honorary pallbearers are Kristen Madden, Emma Taylor, Hope Taylor, Hervey Madden, Dan Thomas, Sr., Tony Madden, Darlene Madden, Joe Taylor, Mitch Reid, Jeff Bagwell, Steven Dabbs, Larry Dabbs, and Nick Lewis.
Arrangements by Jackson's Newport Funeral Home.