Elizabeth Jane (Bassett) Newton

Elizabeth Jane Bassett Newton

SANTA FE - Elizabeth Jane Newton was born in Chicago, Illinois to Cora and Julian Bassett on April 17, 1918 and took her final journey home to be with her Lord on October 10, 2017 at the age of ninety-nine. Known as Betty to her friends and Nanny by her family, she had a rich full life. Growing up in west Texas, the oldest of four children, she met and married Woodrow Newton, the love of her life. They moved to California for a time where she had her first two sons, Andy and Bob, while “Woody” helped the war effort working on airplanes. After the war, they moved back to west Texas and settled in Ft. Stockton where they had their last two sons, Jim and John. Raising four boys and loving her husband was her greatest joy. In 1958, the Newtons moved to Kingsland where they operated a fishing camp until a series of events led them to move to Ft. Worth in 1961. It was here that the greatest life changing event took place as they began to attend church and all came to know Christ as their savior. Betty fell in love with the word of God and from that time on, she was a faithful servant of Christ. In 1964, Woodrow, Betty and the two younger boys moved back to Kingsland where they converted the fishing camp into a Christian retreat area for churches. In 1968, Woodrow moved the family to Longview and it was there that Betty lost the love of her life to cancer in the summer of 1969. She remained in Longview working as a real estate agent and becoming a regular volunteer for mission organizations and her church. With a special love for sharing Christ, Betty was heavily involved with the local office and administration of Child Evangelism Fellowship. She would host Good News Clubs in her home for the neighborhood children and numerous outreach endeavors all over Longview.  

Her home was the central station for Newton gatherings, especially Christmas Eve. In her last years she has lived with her son, Jim and wife, Ruby in Riverside, Texas and finally relocated to her last home with her youngest son, John and his wife, Cindy in Santa Fe, Texas. Everywhere she has lived, Betty leaves a trail of great friends that she loved and she was loved by them. Her family and those who knew her would agree that she fit the mold of Solomon’s description of the virtuous woman, “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.” (Proverbs 31:29-30)

Mrs. Newton is preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, her husband and her eldest son. However, she is survived by thirteen grandchildren and their spouses, and 28 great grandchildren and an expectant great-great grandchild.

Funeral services will be 5:00 p.m. Sunday, October 15, 2017 at First Baptist Church of Alta Loma with Pastor John Newton and Pastor Jim Newton officiating. Visitation with the family will be at the church from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Sunday before the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored if you would donate to the children’s ministries of: Riverside Baptist Church, Riverside, Texas or First Baptist Church of Alta Loma, in Santa Fe, Texas or through Child Evangelism Fellowship, International.   

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