Johnnie L Newport

She loved her friends and her family by being the person whom they knew would remember something important- she prided herself on her excellent memory- even as she entered palliative care in the past few months, she always tried to learn everyone’s names-caregivers, roommates, and new visitors alike. She also loved a good story- both telling them and hearing them. She loved books and reading so much that even as her eyesight was decreasing, her book addiction was exchanged for an Audible addiction. She especially loved Dean Koontz and James Patterson. Her life was focused on service of others- through her church ministries, caregiving, pet-sitting, and so much more. I think that anyone who knows her could probably tell you about a time where she went out of her way to make them feel special, even if only for a moment. The way that most know her heart is in the counter-cross stitch crosses she made, around 400 in total. She would sign with her name and date most of the time, but the one thing she was always certain to do was to really think about the recipient and pray for them as her needle and thread worked through the plastic canvas. Even before that cross-gifting ministry, she served as a church secretary in several congregations and ran two different thrift closets in the El Paso area. She also was a caregiver for the elderly for twenty years, always enjoying the opportunity to serve her clients in whatever way they needed. As stated before, she loved fiercely, and she served faithfully.

Her family would probably tell many stories of her caring nature, but they also would tell you she loved a good laugh. When the whole group was laughing together, she often laughed the longest and the hardest. She loved being a parent and grandparent, often taking on the same or similar hobbies to her children and grand-children, or encouraging them to join her in her hobbies, as she knew that was a guaranteed way to connect and spend time together.

She also loved the friends she had gained over the years, keeping track of birthdays and other important days. Nearly nothing could stop her from spending time with her nearest and dearest. When she could no longer drive, she always found other ways to get where she needed to be to spend time with the ones she loved.

And yes, all of these things are great and important and things we love about her. However, the most importantly love in her life was her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She had a strong conviction and faith of the reality that not only had He come to this earth 2000 years ago, lived a sinless life and yet died a sinner’s death. She had a deep, abounding love for the Bible that taught that Truth and she loved to proclaim it, especially through songs. She loved hearing different singers in their worship and always had thoughts about the lyrics favoring the older hymns over modern worship music. She also once did an in-depth study of women in the Bible and loved sharing her time and work on that project with others.

The family wishes to tell you all thank you for your condolences and support as we mourn her loss here on this earth, and yet feel peace for the fact that she in no longer suffering here on earth, but is instead rejoicing at the throne of God.