Jewell Bernice Gideon Newman was born the ninth child to Calvin Elmer and Ada Francis White Gideon in Ft. Worth, Texas on August 18, 1925. She was called home by her Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ on, September 18, 2018 at the age of 93. Jewell was preceded in death by six brothers, five sisters and her beloved husband M. M. Cotton Newman.
From a very early age she loved singing, dancing and reading. She also always loved going to school and church. This led to the First Methodist Church in Ft. Worth sponsoring her to attend Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas where she received her degree in English and Education. Her first teaching position was in Barnhart, Texas where she met and married a dashing young sailor home from WWII, May 17, 1946. Cotton & Jewell moved to San Angelo where Jewell continued a teaching career of 35 years despite hearing and vision difficulties. She was loved and admired by fellow teachers and her students. She loved children and was always a strong advocate for their best interest. She was a lifetime member of the National Education Association, Texas State Teachers Association and the San Angelo Retired Teachers Association.
Jewell was a devout Methodist and served in many ministries from sharing her beautiful solo soprano voice, to teaching Sunday School, to serving with Methodist women and on a Board of Trustees. Prior to moving to Austin and becoming a member at Northwest Hills United Methodist, she and Cotton were very active members of St. Luke's Methodist Church in San Angelo.
Jewell was proud to be an American. She and Cotton traveled extensively in the United States visiting 50 of the 52 states with Cotton driving their trusty Chevrolet through all states, except Hawaii. She loved reading and music and enjoyed reading stories and singing to her five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, who fondly refer to her as GiGi.
She is survived by her daughter, Alice Spoonts and husband Gary, her son Monte Newman and wife Janette, and son Mel Newman and wife Mary Kay; Alice's son Danny & wife Debbie and their children Sam, Sophia & Brock Massey. Alice's son Shane & wife Mary and children Cole and Magan Massey, Gary's son Sean & wife Amy and their children Garrison, Carson & Teagan Spoonts; Mel's daughter Brinn & husband Michael and their children Noelle and Noah Serbanic; Mel's son Blake & his wife Sunni and their daughter Evelyn Newman. Family was everything to Jewell and she loved you all so very much. Her signature ending on all correspondence was, "Love & prayers always, so very proud of you!"
In lieu of flowers, Jewell would be most appreciative of a donation to either Northwest Hills United Methodist Church in Austin, Texas or St. Luke's Methodist Church in San Angelo, Texas.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, September 28, 2018 at Northwest Hills United Methodist Church, Austin. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, September 29, 2018 in the Johnson's Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens, San Angelo. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories, send condolences, and sign the online guestbook at www.johnsons-funeralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson's Funeral Home of San Angelo.
