Selma Ruth Newton

She lived in the Baytown area all of her life. She was born on April 18, 1926 in Goose Creek, Texas to Elba and Emmit Waldrep, the youngest of four children.

Selma graduated from Robert E Lee High School in 1944. She married her one and only sweetheart, Cecil J.V. Newton shortly after graduation, just prior to his deployment to Germany in World War II. She went to Lee Junior College and worked at Exxon during his service overseas. She and Cecil celebrated their 71st marriage anniversary in August of 2015. They raised three children together in a lively, busy and happy home. Cecil was truly the love of her life.

Selma worked for some years at the Baytown Sun and also as a real estate agent in Baytown. Most of her life she was a homemaker, always putting the needs of her family before her own.

Selma was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. She had a wonderful group of friends, many of them life-long friends, some of whom were waiting for her in Heaven, and all of whom she treasured.

She was loved by all who knew her. She was known for her kindness, concern, and love. She will be deeply missed.

Selma's uppermost passion was the Lord Jesus Christ; she was a devoted Christian, teacher of the Bible, prayer warrior, and faithful servant in her attempt to hear the voice of the Lord and follow Him. She began teaching young people when she was a teenager herself. She also hosted prayer meetings and support groups. Selma Newton was active in establishing a community Bible study for women of all denominations, and later was instrumental in bringing Women's Aglow to the area by helping organize the first Aglow in Baytown.

She was an active member of CrossRoads Fellowship church the last few years of her life. Before becoming a part of CrossRoads she was a member of Trinity Tabernacle Assembly of God Church for most of her life. She served the church in various capacities over the years. She was active in many areas of the women's ministry and in the Goldenaires.

Selma Newton was preceded in death by her parents, Elba and Emmit Waldrep; in-laws, Ruby and Jessie Newton; brother, Harold Waldrep and wife, Esther; sister, Geneva Burns; sister, Ava Lee Woods and husband, Jenkins and many friends.

Selma Newton is survived by her husband of 71 years, Cecil Newton; three children, daughter, Judy N. Robinson and husband, Marvin of Highlands, TX; son, Richard W. Newton and wife, Linda of Colleyville, TX and son Douglas A. Newton of Rusk, TX; four grandchildren, granddaughter, Wendy Pierce of Highlands, TX, grandson, Scott Robinson and wife, Karen of Katy, TX; granddaughter, Natalee Haggan and husband, Paul of Argyle, TX and grandson, Nathan Newton and wife, Mallory of Carrollton, TX; seven great-grandchildren, Madison Valadez and husband, Rudy of Baytown TX, Makaela and Haleigh Pierce of Highlands, TX, Kristen, Lauren and Ethan Robinson of Katy, TX, Ceyda Haggan of Argyle, TX; five great great- grandchildren, Ava Ruth and Adilyn Grace (twin great-great granddaughters), Emmie, Sophia and Gabriel Valadez, of Baytown, TX, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews as well as a host of friends.

Honoring the family as pallbearers will be Scott Robinson, Nathan Newton, Paul Haggan, Rudy Valadez, Roy Waldrep and Phillip Woods.

The family will receive friends at Navarre Funeral Home on Friday, December 11, 2015 from 5 to 7 pm.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Navarre Funeral Home with Rev. John C. Fowler, III and Rev. Mike Allard officiating. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens in Baytown, TX.

The family would like to express their thanks and gratitude for the care and kindness given to Selma Newton by the staff of St. James House, San Jacinto Methodist Hospital Rehabilitation Center and Skilled Nursing facility at Alexander Campus, and Dr. Frederico Dancel, Jr.

To view the online obituary or to post a tribute for the family, go to www.navarrefuneralhome.com

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521 (281) 422-8111.