As remembered by Breanna Spencer (great niece)
September, 2026
Norma Freeland Collins was born in Baltimore, Maryland on March 30, 1941, the daughter of the late Sara Lee Fleming. Norma spent her childhood in the foster care system, but she grew into a woman of remarkable warmth, resilience, and generosity — qualities that would go on to define every chapter of her life and touch everyone fortunate enough to know her.
Norma attended Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia, where, even as a young woman, she found her calling in service to others. She became deeply involved in the civil rights movement, and her role went far beyond the classroom. Norma served as office manager and secretary for the Atlanta headquarters of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), part of a small, dedicated staff who kept the movement organized and running.
On December 10, 1961, Norma was one of eight Freedom Riders — four Black and four white, deliberately organized in equal numbers to embody the integrated future they were fighting for — who rode the train from Atlanta to Albany, Georgia, and sat together in the "whites only" car in defiance of segregation law. The ride was made in support of organizer Charles Sherrod's voter registration and desegregation efforts in Southwest Georgia. Upon arrival, Norma and her fellow riders were arrested by Albany's police chief. This became known as the Albany Movement, one of the defining chapters of the civil rights era.
After college, Norma returned home to Baltimore and built a distinguished career as a professional secretary. She worked as a secretary for a physician in Baltimore, and later went on to serve on Capitol Hill, supporting Congressman Charles Hayes of Illinois and Congressman Albert Wynn of Maryland. Norma was the very definition of organization and professionalism in everything she touched, carrying herself with a quiet excellence that earned the respect of everyone around her.
But it was on the train — the daily commute between Baltimore and Washington, D. C., that Norma made for more than 25 years — where she found what mattered to her most: people. On that train, Norma met lifelong friends from every walk of life, striking up conversations and forming bonds that would last for decades. It was there, in the ordinary rhythm of a daily commute, that Norma began building her extraordinary, ever-expanding family.
Norma never had children of her own, but she adopted a village along the way. She became family to so many — your family, your kids, your grandkids. She was family. So many of us met Norma at different points in our lives, and each time, she found a way to make a lasting impact. She had the biggest heart of anyone many of us have ever known.
Norma held an especially close bond with her great-niece, Breanna. She loved nothing more than spending time with her, and Breanna still fondly recalls being picked up on Saturday mornings as a girl for breakfast at the Double T Diner — a small ritual that meant everything. Norma's place was always a relaxing and peaceful one, a home where things simply felt calm, safe, and right.
If Norma had a spiritual gift, it was giving. She loved nothing more than showing up for the people she loved — with a thoughtful birthday gift, a handwritten card, a surprise just because. She gave generously, freely, and often, and she made everyone around her feel seen, remembered, and cherished.
Outside of her devotion to others, Norma was an avid reader who was rarely without a book in hand, and she delighted in her trips to the Amis market with her friends — a favorite outing she looked forward to again and again.
We are all her family! Our lives have been forever touched and impacted in many ways.
Left to Cherish Her Memory: Sisters Alice Daniels, Carolyn Handy, preceded in death by one sister Gloria Smith. A host of nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews. One special Goddaughter Brenna Spencer and Godson Michael James.
A Host of Dear Friends Who Loved Her as One of Their Own: Mattie Anderson, Adrienne Banfield-Norris, Donna Carey, April Curtis Hines, Wayne McDowell, Marva Lewis McKnight , Darlene P. Richeson, Joslyn Jackson Starvis, Monica Carey Taylor, Donna Carey, Phyllis Jackson Vaughn, Cheryl (Leon) Wright.
As remembered by A. Lenora Taitt-Magubane
October 15, 2026
When James Forman became SNCC director in autumn 1961 there was no central staff. Norma joined him in 1961 and was referred to as B+ the communications department B+ by James until Julian Bond joined SNCC. She was also one of the original Albany, Georgia freedom riders along with me and 11 others. Go well
© Copyright
Webspinner:
webmaster@crmvet.org
(Labor donated)