Levera Newton

Obituary Mrs. Levera (Speed) Newton’s Life Journey Levera (Speed) Newton, 105, better known as, “Mother,” “Momma,” “Mom,” “Grandmother,” “Grandma,” “Granny,” “Great Granny,” “Great-Great Granny,” “Auntie” or “Sister Newton,” transitioned peacefully from her earthly home to her Heavenly home on May 18, 2021. She was surrounded in love and care by her daughter, Angelee and son-in-law, Michael. Levera was born December 12, 1915, to Jeffrey Daniel Speed and Ora Lee (Morris) Speed of Fisher, Louisiana. She was the second born of seven siblings: Lola, Jeffrie, Lillie, Kate, Lonette and Betty. Both parents and her six siblings have completed their earthly journey. Levera completed school at Fisher Public School in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, in 1930. She married the love of her life, Howard Newton on April 22, 1934, in Fisher, Louisiana. The couple was blessed with four children: Howard Lemoyne Newton, Lonnie Vance Newton, Peggy Sue Newton and Angelee Michelle Newton. Levera’s parents later moved to Kansas City, Missouri and united with Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri where they became longtime members. Later, Levera also moved with her husband to Kansas City, Missouri in the late 30’s. In 1944 after graduating from the Madame C.J. Walker School of Cosmetology, she opened and operated her home beauty salon. In the 1960’s she was employed by the Kansas City Missouri School District’s Dietitian Service Department and worked in several schools. Later, Levera completed training for the position of Nurses-Aide at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, where she retired as Senior Nurses-Aide in 1980. Levera professed a belief in Jesus Christ at an early age and after she and her husband, Howard Newton moved to Kansas City they both united with Paseo Baptist Church, in Kansas City, Missouri. While at Paseo Baptist Church, she served as a Deaconess along with her husband who served as a Deacon until he passed away in 2005. Levera served faithfully at Paseo Baptist Church for over 50 years, under the pastoral leaderships of the late Rev. Daniel Arthur Holmes and later the late Rev. Charles J. Briscoe, Rev. Delmar White and Rev. Gregory Ealy. Levera served as a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Usher Board and a member of the Women’s Missionary Union. She loved working with the Cradle Roll and Sunbeam Departments. She became a Sunbeam Leader for both the local and state Youth Departments. Levera was also involved with numerous church organizations and community and business organizations. She was a member of Alpha Phi Omega Sorority (an affiliate of United Beauty School Owners and Teachers Association) and Vice-President of Lincoln High School Teacher Parent Association in the early 1950’s under the leadership of President Gertrude Keith. She was an outstanding Brownie and Girl Scout leader in the 1960’s. She also coordinated volunteer services for the Niles Home for Children as part of the New Era District Missionary Association’s Outreach Program where she received an award for 34 years of faithful service. Levera was also awarded a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of the importance of the ongoing fight against hatred and intolerance in America and her name was added to the Wall of Tolerance in Montgomery, Alabama. In 2011, Levera moved to Douglasville, Georgia with daughter Angelee and son-in-law Michael Jackson where she attended church, enjoyed traveling, music, sitting on the porch reading “The Daily Bread” and bird watching all until the time of her recent illness. Levera was known for baking, especially her delicious biscuits and huge birthday cakes. She did not stress over anything and ate hearty, well-balanced meals, including dessert. And she enjoyed a daily cup of coffee with her breakfast. Levera celebrated her 100th birthday with many family and friends in Kansas City, Mo. at the Intercontinental Hotel on December 12, 2015. She was inducted and congratulated as a Centenarian, receiving a letter from the office of then 44th U.S. President, Barack Obama in 2015; and proclamations from then Senator Shalonn “Kiki” Curls, representing the Missouri Senate and from the office of then Kansas City, Missouri Mayor, Sylvester “Sly” James, Jr. In 2018, Levera was honored by Dr. Ramona Jackson-Jones (the first African American and female chairman of the board of commissioners for Douglas County, Georgia), to be featured in a Black History Month documentary, highlighting her entrepreneurial expertise as a successful beauty operator. Congratulations were extended to Levera on her remarkable 105th Birthday on December 12, 2020. She celebrated with family and friends and was honored with a parade and a Covid-19 compliant reception. She received many honors on the occasion. She was recognized as an “Outstanding Georgia Citizen” from Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. District 66 Representative Kimberly Alexander personally presented Levera a Resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives. Levera also received a surprise birthday call from former U.S. Ambassador Andrew Young and a Proclamation from the Paulding County Board of Commissions, Dallas Georgia, proclaiming January 12th as LEVERA NEWTON DAY, for her faithful service to her family, church and community. Levera’s devoted husband, Howard and children Howard Lemoyne Newton, Lonnie Vance Newton and Peggy Sue Newton-Shelby; granddaughter Roxane Simone Colley; grandsons Michael Douglas Colley and Spencer Gabriel Colley all preceded her in their earthly journeys. Levera leaves to cherish her memory: daughter Angelee M. Colley Jackson (Michael), Douglasville, GA; grandchildren: Kevin L. Newton, Kansas City, MO; Constance D. Woodson, Albany, NY; Cheryl A. Thompson, San Antonio, TX; Wesley V. Newton, Bloomingdale, IL; Renee M. Wilson, Huntsville AL; LaMarr E. Colley-Washington, Ogden, UT; Joshua M. Colley (Rebecca), Topeka, KS and Michael D. Hanson (Deltranee), Villa Rica, GA; 25 great grandchildren, 8 great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and a host of other family and friends. Levera’s siblings called her “Young at Heart.” We believe that “Mom,” for her 105 blessed “Years of Strength,” will continue to be an inspiration to all who knew her and remain to cherish her memory. So, in her own words, “Take Due Notice and Govern Yourself Accordingly.” Note: While working in the New Era District Women’s Missionary Union’s Sunbeam Department, Levera devoted 34 years of volunteer service to the Niles Home for Children. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, contributions in honor of Levera Newton may be sent to: KVC Niles Home for Children, 1911 E. 23rd Street, Kansas City, MO 64127. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 2, at 11:00am at Paseo Baptist Church. Interment Floral Hills Cemetery. Visitation 9:00am-11:00am at the church. Services conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. COVID 19 protocol will be in effect, all guest(s) are required to wear masks indoors. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Levera Newton, please visit our floral store. Read More

Levera Newton

December 12, 1915 - May 18, 2021