MCNEW, JOHN DOYLE (PHOTO) - Faulkner County, Arkansas | JOHN DOYLE (PHOTO) MCNEW - Arkansas Gravestone Photos

John Doyle (Photo) MCNEW

Stone (aka Cadron Ridge) Cemetery
Faulkner County,
Arkansas

Apr. 26, 1923 - June 24, 2014

Mattie Jo
Oct. 25, 1926 - Dec. 27, 2011


John Doyle McNew
Obituary
arkansasonline.com
Published: June 26, 2014

John D. McNew, 91 of North Little Rock passed away June 21, 2014. Every morning for 68 years he would sit in the bathroom while she combed his hair. He had the perfect blend of pride and humility. He was proud of his hair, home, family and faith, all of which were beautiful.

On April 26, 1923, John D. was born to Robert & Artie (Lane) McNew in Greenbrier. He was the youngest of eight. At the age of fourteen he began working full-time on the farm. Never one to cook much, in his younger years he had one specialty. He got $3 a quart for his ‘shine when everyone else only got $2. When he became a Christian, the recipe was laid to rest – never to resurface (no matter how hard the kids searched.)

At 20 years old, on a street in Conway, his life changed forever. He met a feisty, blue-eyed girl, Mattie Jo Goble. When she turned him down for lunch, it just made him more determined. He convinced her to go on a date, and eventually to marry him. After 68 years of marriage, when asked the key to success, smiling he told the secret, "pray a lot and don't argue – she's always right."

John D. was honored to serve as an usher at First Assembly, North Little Rock for over thirty years. He greeted everyone with a smile, hug and sometimes, a little dance. He always had a joke up his sleeve and loved to make people laugh. His contagious smile and bright personality made him one of the best orderlies at the VA Hospital, where he worked for over 25 years. He kept his family grounded in prayer, and through song he constantly reminded everyone around that he "know[s] who holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives."

He is preceded in death by the love of his life, Mattie Jo McNew, as well as his parents. He is survived by daughters, Joan Parker of Chicago, Ill.; Sue Fields & Ray of Maumelle; Glenda Sutherlin & David of El Dorado; Denise Rozell of Fayetteville; and only son Vernon McNew & Kathy of Beebe; 11 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m., Friday at North Little Rock Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be 11:30 a.m., Friday in Stone Cemetery in Conway, Arkansas. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday at North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., 758-1170.

Mattie Jo Goble McNew
Obituary

legacy.com
Published in The Log Cabin Democrat on Dec. 28, 2011
Mattie Jo (Goble) McNew, 85, of North Little Rock passed away Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011. After 68 years of marriage, sitting at the kitchen table, together they tell the story of when they met. John D. was "that McNew boy" from Greenbrier, and she was the feisty, blue-eyed, 17 year-old that had placed a bet. She bet her friends lunch that she would talk to the tall, dark, handsome 20-year-old coming down the road. To her friends' astonishment, she knew his name and he already had his eye on her. He asked her to lunch and she took a rain check - her friends owed her lunch today. It wasn't long before they took a ride in his truck, with her cousin following all the way. John D. finally worked up the nerve to kiss her, and from that moment they were inseparable. Their life together was filled with joy and love. They built the foundation for a family like no other, and made sure to instill the importance of family - Mattie Jo's beautiful prized possession. Her five children, 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, countless nieces, nephews and cousins and those who she simply took in as her own were her world. There was never someone who came to visit her or whom she met that she did not adopt. Her door and her heart were always open. If someone was going through a tough time, she'd say, "Well, just come on over, you're part of the family." Her house wasn't just a place to visit; it was home. When Mattie Jo was around there was never a dull moment. Whether she was doing the jitterbug in the living room, putting the pedal to the metal, yelling loudly at the refs during a Razorback football game or watching wrestling on a Saturday night, she was sure to keep everyone smiling. Mattie Jo was born to George and Mattie Mae Goble of Conway on Oct. 25, 1926. Both of her parents were deaf mutes. She learned to communicate by sign language at an early age, and used this in her ministry. Mattie Jo was a member of First Assembly in North Little Rock. She ministered in uncountable ways. She sang in the choir for more than 40 years. One of her greatest joys was teaching Sunday School and Junior Bible Quiz. She truly cared about every soul. Her unshakeable faith held the family together when her only son was in Desert Shield, when her oldest daughter battled cancer, and in every rough patch each one of us would face. She was famous for the reminder that "this too shall pass," and somehow when she said it, you believed it. Her words of wisdom and faith brought a peace so still and a comfort so warm that you knew the presence of the Lord was there when she spoke. She is preceded in death by her loving parents. She is survived by the love of her life, John D. McNew. Daughters, Joan Parker of Chicago, Ill.; Sue Fields and Ray of Maumelle; Glenda Sutherlin and David of El Dorado; Denise Rozell of Fayetteville; son Vernon McNew and Kathy of Beebe; grandchildren Karen Lombardi and Mike; Mike Parker and Debbie; Kerri Matras and Keith; Todd Fields and Wendie; Tiffany Fields; Shane Miller; Shannon Helmuth; Sheldon Miller; Roger Rozell and Claudia; Stephanie Rozell; Meghan McNew.Memorials may be made to 100 x 100 Missions Project, at First Assembly of God Church, 4501 Burrow Drive, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72116.Funeral services will be held 10 a.m., Friday at First Assembly of God Church in North Little Rock. Burial will be in Stone Cemetery in Conway, Arkansas. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m., Thursday at North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., 758-1170.

Contributed on 4/30/15 by hawkinsdonna
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Record #: 1072769

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Submitted: 4/30/15 • Approved: 5/3/15 • Last Updated: 5/4/15 • R1072769-G1072767-S3

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