Jean F. Newton

Jean Newton (Kikky) was born May 3, 1926 in Doerun, Georgia, the youngest

of five children. Her older three siblings were in their teens, when she was

born. She and her sister, Helen, were only a year apart in age. Her mom

taught at the Elementary school, across the street from their home, while her

dad was on medical disability and homebound. She and Helen went home at

lunch on school days to feed him. Even in elementary school, Jean grew up

‘teaching’ by going to the younger grades to help the children with reading.

Growing up in a small town like Doerun, everyone knew everyone. Her family

raised their own chickens for Sunday dinners and had a large garden for

vegetables. Jean went to Georgia College for Teachers in Milledgeville, GA and

taught school for a couple of years. She met Joseph Daryel Newton during WWII

and after several years of dating, they married in 1950. They were married 66

years before Daryel’s (Joseph’s) death on January 1, 2017. Daryel and Jean had

three daughters, Ginger, and twins, Betty and Nancy (deceased).

Jean was the ‘hostess with the mostest!’ Her dinner parties for 20-30 people

happened at least once a month – complete with the crystal, china, and silver

(which all three girls reluctantly learned how to polish!).

In the 1960’s, a friend shared the Gospel of Jesus with them. Jean accepted

God’s free gift of eternal life. Soon afterward, so did Daryel. The family joined

Westminster Presbyterian Church and she became active in the Women’s

Ministry and Sunday School. It was very important to her that her children

know Jesus as their personal Savior, as she did. She asked her friend who led

her to the Lord, to begin a neighborhood children’s Bible study in their home.

It was also important that her children be in Sunday School and church every

week as she had grown up doing. At this church, EE was introduced by music

director, Ken Wackes, and Jean and Daryel participated weekly. They also

opened their home for a weekly Bible Study to neighbors and church

members. They later joined First Baptist Church of Atlanta, becoming very

active in the life of the church. It was during this time they opened their home

to their young granddaughter, who lived with them until graduation. Jean

was the classroom “Room Mother” each year until middle school.

(Joseph)Daryel and Jean moved to South Florida in 2006, joining Coral Ridge

Presbyterian Church. They joined New Presbyterian Church in 2010,

participating weekly in Bible study at the Ministry Center and evangelism to

John Knox Village Health Center. They loved coming to church every Sunday,

talking to anyone who would talk to them. They looked forward to

SonShiners each month! Even with advancing dementia, Jean had a wit about

her– right up to the end! Jean was pre-deceased in death by Daryel and

daughter, Nancy, (age 26.) She is survived by daughters Ginger Loomis (Fred)

and Betty Newton; grandchildren, Derek Loomis, Nancy Newton, Darby

Loomis and Galen Loomis; and great-grandchildren: Gavin, Destineigh, Zoe,

Mason, Marena, Mia and Jonah. “Mapa” will be missed by her family and all who

knew her.