Mintry Newbern

Mintry V. Newbern of Cape Girardeau, at the age of 78, was granted her angel wings Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

Her final days were spent surrounded by family and friends whose lives she touched in some special way throughout her life.

Her life may seem too short to many, but those who were touched by her understood that the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives. Her gentle smile brought so much joy to our family.

Mintry was born Aug. 10, 1931, in Brownsville, Tenn., to Luther Sullivan and Zettie Bell Owens. She and William Roscoe Newbern Sr. were married April 19, 1946, in Corinth, Miss. They shared 51 years together before his death Nov. 19, 1997. Ten children were born to this union.

Mintry was employed many years by Dr. C.R. Talbert and Dr. Charles Bahn. She was later employed and retired from Central Packing Co. Mintry was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church where she was a faithful servant. She was a member of Missionary Society, Usher Board and was head of the kitchen until her health failed.

Left to cherish her loving memory are daughters Jeanette (Alfred) Hawkins of Decatur, Ill., Mable (Charlie) Kent of Meridian, Miss., Lily Gilwater of Cape Girardeau; sons William Thomas (Ethel) Newbern of Decatur, James (Marilyn) Newbern of Belleville, Ill.; William Roscoe Jr. (Brenda) Newbern of Cape Girardeau, Dwight Newbern of Decatur, Robert (Trish) Newbern of Cape Girardeau, Andre Newbern of St. Louis; foster son Patrick (Tamara) Buck of Cape Girardeau; sister Jeanetta Adams of Cape Girardeau; 30 grandchildren; 64 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a son, Q.T. Newbern; daughter Jenny Newbern; and foster son Jerry Buck.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home, and from 11 a.m. to service time Saturday at Greater Dimension Ministries Church, 723 Hackberry St.

The funeral will be at noon Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Johnny Thomas officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.