Norma Jean Justus

September 12, 1943 - June 26, 2016

Norma Jean Justus was born September 12, 1943 to William Crock Mize and Ruth Inez (Mitchell) Mize. For the first 35 years of life she resided in Powhatan, and she lived in Lawrence County until 1988. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Arkansas College in 1971, after which she taught one year at Swifton. She returned to college for a Master’s degree in Biology (Arkansas State). After graduating in 1974, she spent 15 years as a biology teacher in Walnut Ridge. She began working with the Arkansas Education Association in 1989 and retired from AEA in 2010. The last 27 years of life she resided in West Little Rock but frequently returned to Lawrence County and to Powhatan. Her hobbies included reading, working in her flower garden, mushroom hunting, genealogical research, and most of all, caring for her family. Norma was extremely committed to education and to teachers throughout her career. She considered family or moral support to be the strongest component for any individual’s success. Her dedication to youth and the under privileged was perhaps her strongest virtue. In our sorrow, the family takes comfort in knowing the large number of lives that she touched and the example that she provided. She believed in taking a strong stance on one’s beliefs but also and that we should strive throughout life to be better individuals. She became increasingly interested in the bible, and was quick to remind those closest to her of its emphasis on kindness, compassion, and humanity, in general. Norma was preceded in death by her mother and father, five siblings—William, Nona, and Dent Mize, Glenda and Wanda Glenn. She is survived by one brother—Bobbie Dean Mize; two children—Terri Lea Mullen and Billy Gene Justus; four grandchildren—Brandi Lea Davis, Charla LeAnn Cusson, Nathan Tanner Justus, and Lane Ellen Justus; four great grandchildren—Gage Afton Eades, River Blaine Davis, Blakley Reese Williams, and Ashley Jean Cusson; and many good friends. If we could have one wish, her friends and family would give her a big, final hug and tell her how much she will be missed. Revel in the sadness, for it can only be an indication of the significance of your loss. Revel, too, in the comfort and celebration of a life well spent. Pallbearers will be Family and friends.