L. Jean Newcomb, 91, of Columbia, MO received her angel escort on Friday, January 22, 2021 with family by her side. She loved God, was the longest standing member of Forum Christian Church and looked forward to receiving her reward once her work on earth was finished. Services at Forum will be private for the family, but will be live streamed via Facebook at 1:30 pm, Tuesday January 26th. Please visit www.memorialfuneralhomecolumbia.com and select the view livestream tab under services at the time of the service. A private burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Jean was born October 15, 1929 in Nehawka, NE, the daughter of Elmer Fenton and Mary Alice Ballard Cushman. On May 7, 1947, just after her Humansville, MO High School graduation, she married Valentine “Val” Newcomb in Fairplay, MO. He preceded her in death in 1995. She loved being a mom and helping her family by sewing clothes, refinishing furniture and working hard. As her kids grew older, her skill and love of sewing became a fulltime position. She retired from J.C. Penney’s as their Alterationist and her own shop, ValJean Alterations. Her hobbies included shopping, traveling, gardening, missions work and making hundreds of hats, masks, quilts, lap robes and miscellaneous items – for family, friends, acquaintances and charities. She was known for her generosity, positive outlook, encouragement and love for her grandchildren.
She is survived by her children: Dorothy Bartley of Cedar Hills, TX, Brenda (Craig) Vance, Glenda, Earlene, Paul, and Henry Newcomb, all of Columbia, and Patricia (Brent) Beard of Webb City, MO; siblings: Francine Cushman, Charm Carver, and Gary Cushman; twelve grandchildren: David (Velma) Bartley, Danniel Bartley and Tabitha Clenny whom she helped raise, Phil (Amber) Vance, Kristene (Mike) Walk, Mari-Jean (Michael) Laupp, Aaron Newcomb, Jeremiah Ukena, Thomas Beard, Andrew Beard, Judah Beard and Mark Beard; nine great-grandchildren, and a large and loving extended family. She was preceded in death by her brothers: Jack, Kenneth, and Keith Cushman.
Contributions may be made in her memory to the Food Bank of Central and NE Missouri, 2101 Vandiver Road, Columbia, MO 65202; Show-Me Christian Youth Home, 24302 Mahin Road, La Monte, MO 65337; or the Christian Campus House, 704 S. College Ave, Columbia, MO 65201.
