Naomi Newlin

NEWLIN, NAOMI Services have been set for Naomi Mom Newlin, age 89, of Roswell, who passed away on October 16, 2010 at her home. Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 21, 2010, at LaGrone Funeral Chapel at 11:00 AM with Rev. Mathew Skariah officiating, with Reverend Troy Grant of Berrendo Baptist Church assisting. Burial will be at Memory Lawn, with lunch following at the Berrendo Baptist Church.

Naomi was born on February 8, 1921 near Wells, Nebraska to M.C. and Pearl Harris Kidder. She was married to Clarence Bernie Newlin, who has preceded her in death, as did a son, Ray William, and two sisters, Helen Amsberry and Joy Herring.

Naomi was a school teacher, a rancher, and a lady with a big heart.

Born and raised in a sod house in Cherry County, NE, she attended school in a sod house school, finishing in Mullen, NE in 1938, then stayed at home to help her mother with the delivery of the last daughter, Faye. Naomi attended Normal Training for Teachers at Kearney, NE, in 1939, and taught as the only teacher in a oneroom rural school house for 4 years north of Ashby, NE. She spent summers on Teacher Tours that furthered the education and introduced teachers to places such as Canada, western U.S., and the eastern seaboard. Prior to marriage, she spent one more year teaching at the same school.

Naomi was a proud member of the Womens Army Corps from 19431946, serving as a Supply Sergeant in Eisenhowers command in the European theater. After being wounded in 1945, she subsequently was awarded the Purple Heart. Throughout the rest of her life as a Veteran she held a membership in the Veterans of Foreign War and American Legion, and lived her life a true patriot.

As a daughter of a homesteading family in the Sandhills of western Nebraska, she met and married the son of homesteaders from eastern New Mexico, settling on the family ranch at Boaz, NM, in 1947. The ranch was settled in 1903 by Clarence Newlins parents and uncles. There she and Clarence raised their children, fought drought and numerous financial challenges, yet embraced the opportunity to share their home with many disadvantaged children needing a solid family, love, and guidance. Enough hands to do any tough job, all the children learned responsibility, work ethic, sharing, and teamwork. The family had its own 4H Club and had awardwinning livestock in local fairs. Many of these children and their descendants remain in touch with Naomi and kept her extended family engaged in many occupations throughout the United States.

In her lifetime she was awarded the Sertoma Club Service to Mankind Award, and she was nominated to the Cowgirl Hall of Fame. Her love and care of others led her to write an average 20 letters per week to family and friends, and she sewed over a thousand quilts made of fabric scraps and tied with yarn, and they are still highly treasured by the recipients.

She was a member of Kenna Community Church and the Ladies Aide Society of Kenna, NM. , then later attended Berrendo Baptist Church in Roswell, NM. She taught Sunday School for many years at these churches.

Naomi is survived by a wide and extended family, including sons Grant Newlin of Grants, NM Bern Newlin of Lovington, NM Vern Newlin of Roswell, NM and Walter Newlin of Albuquerque, NM her daughters: Rosemary Thomas of Ely, NV and Faunette Crymes of Mountain View, AR.

She is also survived by her brother, Kent Kidder of Lubbock, TX and sisters Dorothy Higbee of Crescent, IA Ada Leishman of Lakeside, NE Glenice Van Eaton of Henryetta, OK and Faye Boyles of Mullen, NE, along with numerous grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. She was Mom to 43 foster kids and provided a loving foster home from 1960 to 1990.

The family offers special thanks to Dawn Willis for her tender and loving care as a visiting home nurse the New Mexico State Library for the Blind for sending her hundreds of audio books which kept her entertained after she lost her sight and the Veterans Administration which provided her primary and extended health care for service related injuries since her release after World War II. Also of special appreciation, many thanks to Lenore Metcalf for her partnership with Naomi the past nine years, and sister Glenice Van Eaton, partner in travels, kidraising, and comfort.

Pallbearers are Mike Thomas, Josh Thomas, Jerry Metcalf, Richard Torrez, Mike Van Eaton, and Ben Newlin. Honorary Pallbearers include the many other children and friends whose lives she touched.

You may give your condolences on line at: www.lagronefuneralchapels.com

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of LaGrone Funeral Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice, or to the Friends of the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped1209 Camino Carlos Rey Santa Fe, NM 87507.

Visitation

LaGrone Funeral Chapel
900 South Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Monday, October 18, 2010
8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Service

Funeral

LaGrone Funeral Chapel
900 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Thursday, October 21, 2010
11:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Memory Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery
2605 E. 19th St.
Roswell, NM  88201