Nita Newman

Nita was an accomplished seamstress, owning her sewing business Nita Newman’s Tailor Shop, sewing for Civil War reenactors, and sewing blankets, with Threads of Love, for the less fortunate. She loved to cook and would prepare meals for the Masonic Lodge in Barling, as well as for the Fort Smith Boys Home. She was active in St. John’s Episcopal Church, leading the ECW (Episcopal Church Women).

Nita is survived by her daughter Tammy Lynn Sapp; a son Timothy Lee Peterson; three step-children Elizabeth, Victoria and Wayne, and 14 grand and great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Everett (Skip) Newman, and a son Thomas Scott Peterson, and her bothers and sisters Zebedee Hayse, Alna Hayes, Claud Hayse, Morbin Hayse, Thurman Hayse, Lorine Kelley, Betty Probus, Christeen Stewart, Mary Morris, Reba Shartzer, Jerry D. Hayse, Loyal Jack Hayse, Raymond Hayse, Ida Faye Westerfield, Shirley Hayes, Agnes Phelps, Waymon Hayse, Albert Phelps and Hulbourt Phelps.

A memorial graveside service will be at 3:00pm Monday, February 1, 2021 at the U. S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith. Arrangements are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.