Graveside services for Mary Jo Wimberly Newell, 93, of Ruston, LA will be 11:00 A.M., Monday, February 2, 2026, at Wimberly Cemetery, 1014 Pleasant Road, in Ringgold, LA. Officiating the graveside service will be Rev. Doug de Graffenried under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes in Ruston, LA.
Mary Jo was born on August 12, 1932, in Ringgold, Louisiana and entered Heaven to be reunited with her loving husband Bob on January 28, 2026, in Ruston, LA. She was the daughter of Tom L. and Eva T. Wimberly. Mary Jo was an active member of Trinity Methodist Church. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Robert H. Newell, and brother, John L. Wimberly.
After graduating from Ringgold High School as class Valedictorian in 1950, she attended Louisiana Polytechnic Institute. In August 1953, she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics with departmental honors. During the years from 1955 – 1970 she taught at several different schools including one year in the Panama Canal Zone while Bob was stationed there.
In 1970, she entered graduate school at Louisiana Tech and graduated with a Master of Science in 1973. She began teaching Biology I and II and Science classes at Ruston High School in 1970. During her time at Ruston High School, she compiled the course of study for Biology II, served on the Principal’s Advisory Council, Superintendent’s Advisory Council, and participated in the SACS self-study and evaluation. She was also a sponsor of the Pepettes, sponsor of students in local, regional, state and international science fairs and attended the Louisiana Edison Centennial Science Institute in Baton Rouge. Mary Jo retired in 1994 after 25 years of teaching. She had such an impact on so many of her students and dearly loved them all. Mary Jo and Bob enjoyed attending Louisiana Tech sports, especially basketball, traveling together, and spending time with their grandchildren Tom and Luke.
Mary Jo is survived by her son, Don Newell and wife Kelly and grandson, Tom; daughter, Nancy Newell Sutton and husband Mike and grandson, Luke Sutton; step grandchildren, Nathan Sutton and wife Jill; Faith Thompson and husband, Justin; step- great grandchildren, Sadie, Abby, Hannah, and Jonathan Thompson; and Breck, Bennett, and Blake Sutton.
Special thanks to Dr. Benson Grigsby, Tender Touch Service, and her caregiver, Vijaya Frost for her special care, kindness, love, and thoughtfulness for our mom.
Memorials may be made to Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home; Trinity Methodist Church; or charity of the donors choice.
