Betty Jo Newman

Elizabeth Joan “Betty Jo” Newman, 89, of Nederland, passed away Monday, February 28, 2022, at Harbor Hospice of Beaumont. She was born October 6, 1932, in Gillsburg, Mississippi, to Lois Willson Stewart and Polie Dykes Stewart.

Betty Jo was raised on a dairy farm in Gillsburg, Mississippi, where hard work was required to survive. She graduated from Gillsburg High School in 1950 where she was a member of the girls’ basketball team.  After moving to Texas, she was a homemaker for many years prior to attending college and earning her degree to become a teacher.

Betty Jo achieved many accomplishments in her life. After marrying and having five children she attended Lamar State College where she received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She went on to receive her Master’s degree in Education Supervision.

Betty Jo taught first grade for thirty-five years and had many fond memories of her students. They all loved her in return. However, her greatest accomplishment were her own five children. Two of which preceded her in death. Losing her two children was the most difficult part of her life’s journey.

After retirement, Betty Jo enjoyed spending time playing any kind of card game with her friends, especially, Bridge. She was also an avid reader and instilled her love of reading into her children, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

Betty Jo was an active member of Hillcrest Baptist Church, Nederland. She believed deeply in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Survivors include her children, Denise Roebuck and Steve McNutt, of Spring, Texas; Dwayne Newman and wife, Marilyn, of Port Neches; and Darin Newman, of Gillsburg, Mississippi; the father of her children, Winston Newman; grandchildren, Brandi Prater and husband, Allan; Hayley Goodman and husband, Mark; and Jordan Newman and wife, Weslyn; great-grandchildren, Gabrielle Andreason and husband, Alex; Tomas Prater; Logan Richey; Kyndal Goodman; Carter Goodman; Macy Newman; Harper Newman; and Rylee Newman; great-great-grandchildren, Sawyer and Naomi Andreason; step-grandchildren, Shaynna and Jason Franke; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Lois and Polie Stewart; siblings, Rmeta Coble, Polie Stewart, Jr., James Stewart, and Paschal Conway Stewart; children, Betty Nannette Newman and Winston Terry Newman; and son-in-law, Paul Roebuck.

A graveside service for Ms. Betty will be 1:00 p.m., Monday, March 7, 2022, at Gillsburg Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 6126 MS 568, Osyka, Mississippi 39657, with Brother Austin Bean officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gillsburg Memorial Gardens Cemetery, C/O Dalton Williams Jr., 7502 MS Highway 584, Osyka, Mississippi 39657 or to The Gideons International Processing Center, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251.