Wanda Joyce Newton

A graveside service will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 5, 2012, in Rose Hill Cemetery, Merkel, Texas, with Mr. Mike Bailey officiating, directed by Community Memorial Funeral Home, 1443 North 2nd Street, Abilene. The family will receive friends at a visitation 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Wanda was born October 30, 1951 to William Leonard Gibson and Anita Joyce Naramore Gibson in Bossier City, Louisiana. She traveled around with her Air Force family, moving from Holland in 1967 to Abilene. Wanda graduated from Cooper High School in 1969. She married Galen Newton on November 3, 1969. He preceded her in death on April 26, 2003 after 32 years of marriage. Wanda worked for Abilene Independent School District (AISD) for 11 years in food service and recently at WalMart as a sales associate for 7 years. She enjoyed crafts and cooking. Wanda loved her entire family, as this was her life.

Wanda was preceded in death by her father; her husband; two daughters, Gay Lynn Newton and Baby Girl Newton; and other extended family members.

Survivors include her children, Stacy Ann Rees and husband, Rodney, of Bailey, Colorado, Amy Elizabeth Lay and husband, Mike, of Abilene, Galen Dale Newton II of Abilene, and Lindsey Nicole Ezell and husband, Jeremy, of Abilene; her siblings, Sheryl Lynn Dixon of Garland, Texas, Bill Gibson and wife, Martha, of Abilene, Robert Allen Bottger and wife, Carolyn, of Colleyville, Texas, and Amy Dawn Hougtaling and husband, Thomas, of Richmond, Virginia; ten grandchildren, Jodi Rees, Brittnee Morgan and husband, Trent, Jonathan Jones and wife Bea, Mekael Rees and fiancé Jason, Thomas Rees, Dillion Jones, Kara Lay, Ryan Rees, Nathaniel Newton, and Makenzie Newton; three great-grandchildren, Marion Jones, Mattox Talamantez, and Kaytie Rogers, plus three upcoming new arrivals.

The family wishes to thank Woodlawn Church of Christ; Nurses Unlimited; her brothers and sisters; Tonja Dunman and family and Marilyn Marquette and family; Dr. Lee Pride and the entire staff at UT Southwestern Zale Lipshy; and the entire staff at Hendrick Medical Center for their outstanding care of Wanda. Also, a very special thanks to everyone employed at Highway 351 WalMart Supercenter for going above and beyond with their support and love shown to Wanda and her family during her illness.

Memorials may be sent to The Brain Aneurysm Foundation, 269 Hanover Street, Building 3, Hanover, MA 02339 or e-mail a memorial gift to www.bafound.org.