Arnita M. Newlin

Arnita M. Newlin

Arnita Maerz Newlin, 97, died in Longview on Saturday, May 3, 2008.

She was born in Mentz, Colorado County on July 15, 1910 to John Maerz and Margaret Brod Maerz, the fifth of eight children. She was a descendant of Johann Brod who settled in the Republic of Texas in the Mentz-Columbus area.

She was raised in rural Wharton County and finished high school as a boarding student in El Campo.

On Aug. 23, 1930 she married her childhood sweetheart, Arthur William Newlin. They lived in Wharton until 1954 when they moved to the AA (brand for Arthur and Arnita) Farm in Douglassville, Texas. Arnita was the proud matriarch of a large family and is survived by children Margaret (Andy) McLaughlin; Marie (John-deceased) Smith; Arthur William Newlin Jr. and Diana (Carroll) Sherman.

Her grandchildren are Dave Smith, Patrick McLaughlin, Julie Fleming, Gay Young, Michelle Foreman, Brenda, Art and Ross Newlin, Renese Henderson and Darrel Sherman. She has 19 greatgrandchildren and 3 greatgreat grandchildren.

Her children honored their parents with large parties on the occasions of their 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries, and again for Arnita on her 90th birthday.

Arnita was a high energy "people person" and their home at the AA Farm was a constant stream of visitors who were always welcomed. They came to stroll through the pines, hold Easter Egg hunts, play dominoes and share meals of her wonderful cooking.

She loved to work and she loved to play. She was a very successful independent sales woman, a "hands-on" cattlewoman, a gardener and a great cook; but her proudest accomplishments were her rugs and quilts. She sewed beautifully, even designed her own patterns for dresses. She made Christmas stockings and placemats and hooked rugs of handdyed wools.

In her "retirement" years, from carefully saved scraps of materials all colored coded, she made and hand quilted many quilts - "Flower Garden," "Lone Star" and "Postage Stamp" were her favorite patterns. She spread warmth and beauty all over Texas, gifting these quilts to her children and grandchildren. She made a baby quilt for every family newborn.

She was active in the Douglassville community, particularly with seniors and her "42" clubs.

She lived on the farm until she was 92 when she moved to Longview to be closer to her family. She was a member of the St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Atlanta, Texas and following her move to Longview she was attended by members of St. Matthew's Catholic Church.

She was a UNIQUE LADY!

Rosary services will be held at 9:30 a.m. today, Wednesday, May 7 at the chapel of the Wharton Funeral Home and funeral services will follow at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with Deacon Alvin Matthys officiating. Burial will follow at the Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery in Wharton.

Pallbearers are Patrick McLaughlin, Art Newlin, Ross Newlin, Nathan (Bubba) Young, James (Jim) Foreman and Glen Newlin.

Honorary Pallbearers are Dave Smith, Charles Edward Maerz, Mark Maerz, Graham Fleming and Robert Newlin.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Matthew's Catholic Church, 2800 Pine Tree Road, Longview, Texas 75604 or to Heart's Way Hospice of Northeast Texas, 1306 Pine Tree Road, Longview, Texas 75604.