Obituary of Joanne Newman

Joanne Cooper Newman was born September 4, 1922 in Geuda Springs, KS to Grover Cleveland and Era Lee (Beckett) Cooper. She passed from this life April 11, 2011 in Broken Arrow, OK at the age of 88. Joanne was a deeply loved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. The love she received was in direct response to the love she so freely gave. She always put her family first, supporting them and sacrificing for them as necessary. Joanne had a genuine interest in her fellow human beings: her friends at TU where she worked as a secretary for many years; her treasured friends at First Christian Church; the caring, patient employees of the 41st and Yale branch of Bank of Oklahoma; the ladies at the corner filling station who helped her pump gas after her husband Jack died because she didn't know how; the employees at Braums who fixed her favorite "sinless" yogurt; the staff at Taco Bueno who lovingly fixed her daily "soft taco with a side of queso" for lunch. They, along with many of the customers, became a second family to her. Her ready smile for anyone she met and vivacious personality made her a light in this world. Joanne modeled through her actions her belief that these three things abide: faith, hope, love. But the greatest of these is love. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Jack Evans Newman. Joanne is survived by her daughters, Susan McKelvey (John) and Kathy Schweer (Windler); and her grandchildren, Brody McKelvey, Tyler McKelvey (Rylee), Zane Schweer and Parker Schweer. Joanne will lie in state from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, at the Ninde Brookside Funeral Home Chapel. Her funeral service will be held Wednesday, April 20 at 10:00 a.m., at First Christian Church, 913 S. Boulder, Tulsa. She will be laid to rest at Memorial Park Cemetery in Edmond, OK. Joanne was a lover of flowers and preached to everyone about the beauty of creation. They would be a lovely tribute to her. In lieu of that, the family suggests a donation either to hospice, or to any group involved with support or research for Alzheimers/Dementia. Susan and Kathy want to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Forest Hills Care Center and to Solamore Hospice. Their gentleness and compassion helped our mom transition from her earthly life with dignity to find her peace with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Ninde Brookside 918.742.5556 www.ninde.com