Bonnie "Colette" Dodd Newman

On Saturday, September 3, at 7:32 am, with the sun softly streaming through the blinds, our beautiful mother bid her final goodbye to this world and entered her eternal home and ultimate retirement. There is no doubt that our dad was the first one waiting to hug her neck and show her around.

Bonnie “Colette” Dodd Newman lived a full life in her sixty years on earth. She married the love of her life, Lloyd Dean Newman in 1977, and went on to have two children, Jessica Newman Duckworth and Brandon Newman. Her pride in life was her family and her ministry, working with the youth of North-East Texas. Countless hours, we, her children, have witnessed our mother praying for, talking with and comforting others. She was selfless, always put other people first, right up until the end. Her greatest joy came when she became a grandmother, not once, but five times! Jessica and her husband Jonathan have three children, EmmaLee Christina (14), Samuel Troy Dean (7) (named after both grandfathers) and Lillee Ann Kate (5). Brandon and his wife Melissa have two daughters, Haley De’Nae (15) and Alexis Laine (7). These five grandchildren would become the highlight of mom’s life. She adored each one and loved to spoil them, especially when it came to allowing things we (her children) did not, like ice cream for breakfast or pudding fights in the kitchen. Her grandchildren will all have funny memories of Granna dancing in the living room, playing on Snap Chat with them and her constant mispronunciation of words. There was never any doubt that her family took first place in her heart. As she entered Heaven, we know she was surrounded by all the loved ones who had gone before her: her husband and our father Lloyd Dean Newman; her father, Gaston Dodd; her maternal grandparents, William “Bo” Holley and Emma D; her paternal grandparents, Nettie Lee and Tom Dodd; her niece, Christina Tribble and countless more, who were eager to welcome her home.

We, her children, grandchildren and her mother, Nelma Dodd; her brother, Tommie Dodd; her twin sister, Joette English; her nephew Johnathen Tribble and the countless friends who are loved like family, will work hard to continue the legacy she began.

While we celebrate her homecoming, and know that she is finally seeing the amazing legacy she created while on earth, we are left to mourn the huge hole that is now in the tapestry of our unit. Her life on this earth will be greatly missed but we rejoice in the Hope of Heaven and in the peace that mom has found there. One of the last things she said before she died, was "I'm not done." As the tributes began pouring in since her passing, it has become apparent to us all that she was right. She isn’t done. The legacy she left behind will continue to change this world for the better for years to come. That is the ultimate way to live your life and mom did just that! We love you, we miss you, we will see you again soon! Enjoy paradise, you have earned it!

Visitation will be Thursday evening from 6-7 pm at Jones-Walker Funeral Home in Commerce, Texas.

Funeral services will be Friday, September 9, at 10:30 a.m. at First Assembly of God in Sulphur Springs, Texas, with the Rev. Rusty Posey & Rev. Lee Sheldt officiating.

Pallbearers will be Marci Owens, Kathy Wilkes, Rebecca Stewart, Vickie Hoskison, Kathy Hoskison, Alicia Currin, Debbie Jackson and Debbie Janski.

Honorary pallbearers will be Darrell Butler, Dale Owens, Josh Bryson and Jack Newman.

She will be laid to rest in Humbolt Cemetery in Campbell, Texas.

Our mother was very passionate about many things in life. One of those passions was childhood cancer. With September being Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we know she would love to see donations made to St. Baldricks Organization in her honor. However, she also enjoyed flowers, and we want to surround her once again with all the things she loved. So when considering a way to honor her in her passing, please know she would be touched by either.

We appreciate all of your love and support.

Interment service follows church service.