Laura Kathryn Newman

Laura Kathryn Stewart Newman, 68, of Farmerville, Louisiana passed away on Thursday, August 15, 2019. She was born August 21, 1950 in Ruston, Louisiana to Richard and Sue Martin Stewart. “Kathy” was a unique and caring person who touched the lives of all who knew her. She was a loving and thoughtful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, daughter, and friend.

A longtime resident of northeast Louisiana, Kathy graduated from Wossman High School in Monroe, LA in 1968 where she was the proud recipient of a journalism scholarship. She began her first job at State Farm and later went on to work as a legal secretary and legal transcriptionist. She made a home in several states over the years but always returned to her roots.

Kathy was a lifelong student who valued learning. She was a lover of history - family history, Egyptian history, European history, American history, ancient history, and southern history. She enjoyed visiting plantations and had a special fondness for Afton Villa Gardens. She also held a special place in her heart for the military and was immensely proud of her grandson, Samuel, for his service in the United States Marine Corps. For entertainment, she enjoyed reading, movies, science fiction, music, and art. Kathy was an enormous sports fan always cheering on her beloved Cubs, Dallas Stars, and LSU Tigers. Kathy also loved spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandsons, Ethan and Sam, and her beloved pets. She was faithful to God and helpful to her fellow men, and she knew herself and was true to herself.

Kathy’s grandparents were very dear to her heart. She loved to recount stories of the time she spent with her Grandmother and Granddaddy Martin. For many years, she was a proud member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Monroe, Louisiana where her Grandmother Stewart was a charter member.

Her father, Richard Byrd Stewart, preceded her in death.

She leaves to cherish her memory: son, Jeffrey and wife, Jeani of Aubrey, TX; son, Jason and wife, Melissa of Richardson, TX; daughter, Anne and husband, Nathan of Monroe, LA; two grandsons, Ethan and Samuel; father of her children, Tommy and wife, Vicki Bradley of Rockwall, TX; sister, Carol de Leon of Carrollton, TX; nieces, Amanda, Natalie and husband Hector, Caitlin, and three great-nieces; sister-in-law, Kathy Powell; dear friends, Linda and Angie; a host of other relatives and friends.

Cremation and a private family interment are planned at Kathy’s request. The family will host a celebration of life reception to be held from 2pm – 4pm at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Monroe, Louisiana on Saturday, September 21, 2019. The address is 1901 Milton Street, Monroe LA 71201. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Kathy’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project, a charity very close to her heart.