Rickey Kay Newton

Rickey was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, the daughter of Richard D. Grewett and Barbara Jean (West) Collins. Rickey was married for many years to Pat Perna. When that marriage ended, she moved to Quinlan, Texas, where she met and subsequently married Bill Newton in 2009.

Rickey was an artistic person who loved to paint, write, and make various craft items such as the little wooden birdhouses she painted. Whatever she created, she put her whole heart into it. She was also a family historian who enjoyed collecting family stories and pictures. She was an imaginative, sensitive person with a great sense of humor.

Something Rickey loved doing was crocheting and knitting. Her favorite crochet masterpieces were the baby sweaters, bonnets, and blankets she made for her nieces. She loved to cook and bake, whether it was for herself or others. She is remembered fondly for the elaborate gingerbread houses she used to make at Christmas, and an intricate carousel birthday cake featuring candy canes and colorful frosting. Her special Thanksgiving turkey stuffing was unequaled, and family members continue to use her delicious recipe.

Rickey worked many jobs during her lifetime, but her true calling was as a wife and also as a second mother to her nieces, Jennie and Lisa.

Rickey is survived by her husband, Bill Newton; her siblings, Eugene (Karla) Cottom, Elizabeth Nasser, Helen (James) Purvis, Richard (Cyndi) Collins, and Ceresta Collins; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Rickey was preceded in death by her mother, Barbara Jean Collins; her father, Richard D. Grewett; her stepfather, Richard Collins; and her siblings, Elaine Hanna and Randy Curtis.

The immediate family will have a graveside service for Rickey at Evergreen Cemetery in Lansing, Michigan, on January 20th. For those wishing to make a contribution in her memory, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society.