Rhonda Renea Newborn

Our hearts are broken as we all acknowledge the transition of our beloved, Rhonda Renea Newborn, the baby of our family, who was born August 12, 1967 in Arkadelphia, Arkansas to the parentage of L. C. and Roberta Beard Newborn. Her bright light and big heart left us too soon, but we will forever remember her caring heart, love for family and humankind, warmth and compassion. One of our sustaining forces is Rhonda’s favorite scripture, Matthew 7:7 King James Version: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:” 

Rhonda was a dedicated life-long member of Mt. Morriah Missionary Baptist Church where she has served as, Assistant Youth Director, a Brandy Ferrell Vacation Bible School staff and, most recently, she served as a member of the Pastoral Search Committee and enjoyed her role as the Chairperson for the Program Committee. She sang with the Mt. Morriah Church Choir, The Gospel Convincers, Rev. Wallace Ingram and Trinity, and The Heavenly Dreamers with whom she recorded two CDs. She also shared the stage with professional gospel singers including The Talley Boys formerly of Willie Neal Johnson and the New Gospel Keynotes, and the Mighty Ambassadors of Shreveport, LA. Rhonda looked forward to Gospel Musicals and Celebrations. There was no doubt that she loved God, in the name of Jesus. Rhonda’s fervent prayers filled the atmosphere during our online Weekly Family Prayer Meetings and will certainly be missed. She especially enjoyed The Wings of Joy and the Spiritual Stars Anniversaries, which she attended with her Cousin Evelyn Newburn Harrison and her friends, Dorothy Smith Luster and Geneva Knox King.

She received her formal education from the Arkadelphia Public School District, graduating with the Class of 1985 from Arkadelphia High School, and she attended Henderson State University. She was crowned “Ms. Sunshine” in 1984. Rhonda was a former employee at Happyland Day Care, worked as a Substitute Teacher for the Arkadelphia Public School System and was a caregiver for Rainbow of Challenges Incorporated. She was noted for her punctuality and she was committed to the tasks with which she was entrusted. She really enjoyed her employment at both places. Rhonda gained much experience in care giving by being the primary caregiver for her aging parents throughout their declining years. She gave her all to her Sister Carolyn during her declining years, and after Carolyn’s transition, Rhonda gave her best to Carolyn’s, then four year old daughter, LaCarol Roberta`, who is now a mature adult.

Rhonda loved shopping, especially at Dillards, whether she made purchases or just shopped. She really liked pretty shoes. She enjoyed planning Family Reunions, Birthday Parties, Family Get-together, etc. where she took as many family photos as possible which she used to help family celebrate Birthdays and other special occasions. Going out to eat and to the movies with Family made her light up.

Rhonda was preceded in death by her parents, Roberta (1997), L. C. (2000); her siblings, L. C. Newborn, Jr., Carolyn Y. Newborn (2004), Rosie Lee Gray (2010), Johnny C. Newborn (2011), and Margie Newborn Bates-Robinson (2016); her brother-in-law, John A. Craig; her sister-in-law, Esther Faye Newborn; her nieces, Rose M. Sundiata and Adrianna Newborn; and her nephews, Christopher Newborn and Terry Newborn.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories and await her glorious resurrection: her beloved niece, LaCarol Roberta' Newborn whom she nurtured as she would have her very own child after the transition of her mother, Carolyn; her siblings, Gracie (Albert) Neal of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, Clara Craig of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, Rev. Jesse Newborn of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, William (Cynthia) Newborn of Malvern, Arkansas, Rufus (Betty) Newborn of Yukon, Oklahoma, Debbie (Robert) Harper of Magnolia, Arkansas and Martin (Freda) Newborn of Arkadelphia, Arkansas; her aunts, Janice Beard and Mildred Jones all of Dallas, Texas; She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, her beloved Mt. Morriah Missionary Baptist Church family, and friends that were dear to her heart.

Submitted by the Newborn Family