Norma “Big Norma” Crutchfield (1948-2025)

Norma Jean Crutchfield, known to everyone in Proctor County as Big Norma, passed away Sunday morning at her home on Gallia Street. She was 77.

Big Norma spent 31 years as a cook at Hobart High School, where she is credited with feeding somewhere between 8,000 and 11,000 students, depending on who is counting. She made the chili every year for the HVFD Ladies Auxiliary fundraiser and won the Proctor County Casserole Showcase four times, once in a category she had entered by mistake. She did not accept the trophy but kept the ribbon.

She is survived by her son, Darnell, and his family; her sister, Patty Faye; and more people than could reasonably fit in the notice. Visitation will be at Ames & Sons Funeral Home on Thursday. The family requests no balloons.