Norma Jean "Nini" Bartlett

Norma Jean Bartlett, 60, of Addison, passed away Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Cullman Medical Center.

Nini…If you knew her, you knew she loved with everything she had….You knew she was tough. She was strong. And she loved hard—real hard. If you were hers, you didn’t just get hugs and sweet words… you got protection. Loyalty. Someone who would go to the mat for you without hesitation. Nini didn’t play when it came to her people. She was fierce, and she was proud of that.

1 Corinthians 13 says, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” That was Nini. Her love didn’t waver. It was steady. Strong. Protective. She fought for her people—and I mean fought. With grit, fire and the kind of strength that only comes from God. She was a protector. A fighter. She was tough. Determined. Resilient in every way. She didn’t back down from anything or anyone…especially if it meant protecting her family.

Though Nini never had children of her own, she raised and loved many. She loved them endlessly…and without condition. Whether you were family by blood or by heart, if Nini claimed you, you were hers for life. She loved Loretta. I think because Loretta was honest. Strong. Straight-talking. A little wild, a little bold—and that’s exactly who Nini was. She had that same fire in her. That same “don’t mess with my people” kind of energy. "Coal Miner’s Daughter" wasn’t just her favorite—it was part of who she was. That story of growing up tough, sticking to your roots, and saying exactly what needed to be said? That was Nini to the core. She and Loretta shared that same spirit.

And now, just like the scripture in 2 Timothy 4:7 says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Nini did fight the good fight. For her family. For the people she loved. And she did it with grit, grace and a whole lot of heart. She was as tough as nails, and her love was unshakable. We’ll carry that with us always.

Visitation will be Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 12-2 p.m. at Nichols Funeral Home in Addison, where the service will be held at 2 p.m. Burial will be at Hillcrest Cemetery. Brother Abe Rooks will officiate.

Norma Jean is survived by her brothers and sisters, Gary (Jerri Ann) Bartlett, Wayne (Brenda) Bartlett, Brenda Kay (Van) Bartlett, Jeff (Rita) Bartlett, Kathy and Roger Porter and Dewayne and Shawna Hampton; nieces and nephews, Chris (Christina) Porter, Maria (Tony) Letsinger, David Porter, Ory (Kassidy) Hampton, Jennifer (Abe) Rooks, Megan (Andrew) Lee, Whitley (Alan) McNew, Matthew (Alyssa) Bartlett, Ross (Blair) Hampton, Kelsey (Austin) Thomas, Karli (Hayden) Lee and Kaylee (Chase) Gilliland; great nieces and great nephews, Conner, Julian, Dylan, Tryston, Chasen, Jasmine, Lilah, Kieran, Bentley, Cooper, Bowen, Hunter, Hadley, Nayvee, Nola, Brexley, Pippa, Tripp, James, Liam, Braden, Brooks, Jayci, Creed and Baby Gilliland. She was preceded in death by her sister, Kristi Bartlett; mother, Glema Joyce Raines; uncle, Arnold Raines; stepmother, Louise Hampton; father, Norman Otis Bartlett; and brother, Shannon Joey Bartlett.

Please visit www.nicholsfuneralhomes.com to share memories and condolences.