Norma Jean (Sheppard) Hollingsworth

Norma Jean (Sheppard) Hollingsworth of Bloomington passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 87 on January 25, 2025. She joins her beloved husband, Kenneth Hollingsworth (1938-2021) in the arms of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Norma was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Born August 6, 1937, in Royalton, IL, she was the eldest daughter of the late Charles V. and Evelyn P. (Myrick) Sheppard. Norma was a baby born so tiny from complications of malaria, that she was not expected to survive. But Norma went on to do amazing and beautiful things while on loan to us from God. Norma was a graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington, where she received one bachelor’s degree, and two associate’s degrees. She spent over 39 years at her alma mater, holding various professional positions on the Bloomington campus. Norma had such a passion to keep learning and caring for others, that at an age when most people were thinking of retirement, Norma was attending nursing classes to become a Registered Nurse, piggybacked with a Master’s degree in Health Business Administration. She completed her medical training up to the start of her clinical rotations. Norma was preceded in death by the love of her life, Kenneth Lee Hollingsworth. She is survived by her son, Mark Hollingsworth, JD. (wife Rie Hollingsworth) of Columbus, and her daughter, Kathryn Mary Etienne (husband Dr. Jean-Paul Etienne) of Bloomington; two grandsons in which she was so proud, Michael Hollingsworth, JD. of Indianapolis. and Matthew Hollingsworth (wife Natalie Hollingsworth) of Indianapolis. She is also survived by one brother, Charles Sheppard (wife Debbie) of Spencer, one sister Beverly Arnott (husband Gerry) of Bloomington, and five nieces and nephews. And finally, her beautiful Yorkie companion of the past 10 years, Parker. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, John Michael Sheppard. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at Allen Funeral Home, 4155 S. Old State Road 37 Bloomington, IN 47401. Burial will follow at Valhalla Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 12:00 PM until the time of service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Monroe County Humane Association (MCHA), Bloomington, IN. Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.allencares.com.

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Norma Jean (Sheppard) Hollingsworth

August 6, 1937 - January 25, 2025