Thelma Louise (Newsom) Smith

Thelma Louise (Newsom) Smith, of Groesbeck, passed away on Sunday, January 16, 2011, at the Royal Manor Health Center, in Waco, at age 86. Visitation will be Monday, January 17, 2011, from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Groesbeck Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 2:00 P. M. on Tuesday, January 18, 2011, at the Church of Christ in Groesbeck, with Brother Richard Williams officiating. Burial will follow in the Seale-Round Prairie Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Henry Padgett, Rick Baldwin, Joe Oliver, Jody Oliver, James E. Baldwin, and Jeremy Collins. Thelma was born September 8, 1924, to Jimmy John Baldwin and Mammie (Padgett) Baldwin at Seale. She grew up and went to school in Marquez. Thelma was united in marriage with Bert Newsom on January 1, 1942, in Jewett. They lived awhile in Jewett and in Groesbeck, and then moved to Houston where he was employed. She attended cosmetology school there and obtained her beautician license. They moved back to Groesbeck to raise their daughter Cathy, and she opened her own salon, Thelma’s Beauty Shop. Her daughter obtained her license at sixteen and worked with her in the shop. Many ladies in Groesbeck received her care and attention through the years. She was a people person, and a social butterfly; she was happiest when she was doing for others. Thelma and Bert built a house on Lake Limestone but only got to enjoy living there one year before he passed away. She soon moved to Robinson to be near her family. She was once again united in marriage, with Robert E. Smith, in 1986, and they moved to his home at Canyon Lake. After Thelma suffered the loss of her only daughter, Cathy, in 2000, she herself suffered declining health, and moved to Waco near her grandchildren. Thelma was preceded in death by her parents; a baby boy, Lynn Thomas Newsom only a few days old; her husband, Bert Newsom in 1979; her daughter, Cathy Gail Collins Oliver in 2000; her second husband, Robert Smith in 2006; and her two brothers, Billy Ray Baldwin and June Baldwin. She is survived by her granddaughter, Melanie King and husband Cody King of Lorena; grandson, Jeremy Collins and wife Ashley Collins of Robinson; great grandchildren, Kyle and Klay Tanksley, Gage King, and Tailyn Palmer; cousins she was especially close with, Henry Padgett of Marquez, Ricky Baldwin of Seale, James Baldwin of Seale, and Ronnie Baldwin of Houston, and other cousins and extended family.