Mrs. Mary Ann Newton, passed away on August 21, 2021 at the age of 85. She was born May 12, 1936 in Arkadelphia, AR to the late Ira B. and Viola Smith Thomas. She was a lifelong resident of Curtis, AR and member of Curtis Baptist Church. For many years, Mary Ann, along with her mother, owned and operated the Arkadelphia Flower Shop and the Gurdon Flower Shop. Mary Ann was known for her wonderful cooking and her love for her family. She married William Estes (Bill) Newton November 24, 1953, who on May 1, 2002 preceded her in death.

She is survived by their five children, William Estes (Bill) Newton, Jr. (Mari Ben) of England, AR, Christopher Hugh Newton (Diane) of Conway, AR, Timothy Mark Newton (Joy) of Curtis, AR, Annie Lorie Newton Whisenhunt (Kevin) of Prescott, AR, and Jason Scott Newton (Kim) of Nashville, AR. She is also survived by her 14 grandchildren Bill Newton, III (Raynetta) of Hot Springs, AR, Brittany Newton (Crystal) of Maumelle, AR, Robert Newton (Natalie) of Frisco, TX, Kyle Newton (Tiffany) of Waldo, AR, Timothy Newton, II of Bryant, AR, Lauren Newton of Maumelle, AR, Senaida Cruz of Curtis, AR, Michael Cruz, Jr. (Jackie) of New South Wales, AUS, Tech Sergeant Ryan Webb (Caress) of Travis Air Force Base, CA, Amber Webb Dickson (Brad) of Vilonia, AR, Caleb Newton (Sydney) of Conway, AR, Ashlyn Newton of Magnolia, AR, Kirstyn and Ella Newton, both of Nashville, AR. Mary Ann continued to be blessed with 22 great grandchildren. Mary Ann is also preceded in death by three sisters, Marjorie Thomas Stevenson of Curtis, AR, Joyce Thomas Stiffler of Gurdon, AR, and Judith Thomas Johnson of Duncanville, TX. She is survived by three sisters, Iris Thomas Toombs of Gurdon, AR, Ruth Thomas Barham of Duncanville, TX, Annette Thomas Dunn of Texarkana, AR, and brother, Major Ira B. Thomas, JR (Sylvia) of Curtis, AR.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, August 25, 2021, Welch Funeral Home in Arkadelphia with her grandson, Pastor Bill Newton officiating.

Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Interment will follow at Harts Chapel Cemetery in Curtis, AR.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Harts Chapel Cemetery Fund, ℅ Sandra Blanton, 272 Curtis Rd, Gurdon, Arkadelphia, AR 71743 or Curtis Baptist Church, ℅ Patricia Cole PO Box 115, Curtis, AR 71728.

Mary Ann's (Memaw's) grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

The family wishes to express their sincerest gratitude to the staff of both Baptist Hospital of Stuttgart and Hospice Home Care. The love, care and support will never be forgotten.