Elizabeth Newland Obituary

Elizabeth Ann Newland, affectionately known as Ann to family and friends, formerly of Mayview, Mo., was born Jan. 23, 1952, in the Warrensburg hospital to James & Zoel Newland. After graduating in the spring of 1970 from Odessa High School, she attended Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Mo. for at least 2 years. Ann passed from this life to her heavenly home July 8, 2025, at the age of 73 in Mena, Ark.

During her younger years, she attended and was a faithful member of the Cedar Grove Christian Church outside Higginsville, Mo. where she was baptized into our lord Jesus Christ and was very proud to be called a Christian throughout her life. While she lived in Joplin, Ann was active in ministering at Soul's Harbor. She completed various mission trips in her life. At the time of her passing, Ann was a faithful member of the Church of God in Mena, Ark. She loved to share her faith and love for God.

Ann had many talents, was fun-loving and fun to be around. She had an infectious laugh and loved a good story or joke to keep you laughing, too. She was known as a chocolatier or the "candy lady" because of the tasty candies and chocolates that she made and shared with family, friends and at events. This was Ann's carrying-on of a longstanding Newland family tradition.

Ever the entrepreneur, Ann had many careers in her life. She once owned a game bird farm and statuary shop, and was a driver's education instructor in Kansas City, Mo. If you've ever driven in KC traffic, you know it takes talent and patience to maneuver those roads alongside new and inexperienced drivers. It was fun just to hear her tell stories of some of those narrow escapes. Later, in Homer, Alaska, she co-operated a bed and breakfast for about five years.

Ann was also a full-time caregiver for about 15 years, first for both of her parents, and later for a lifelong friend, Dan Taylor.

Ann enjoyed camping and any outdoor activity. She will be fondly remembered by family as the aunt who took them zip sledding, ice skating on ponds and for teaching them how to drive and shoot a gun. She was a member of the Christian Motorcycle Association, having joined in January of 1981. Ann enjoyed traveling our nation with other Christian motorcyclists and was very proud of the fact she clocked over 1 million miles on her motorcycle.

Ann is survived by former sister-in-law Brenda; nieces and nephews, Scott, Jamie, Michelle, Cassie and Danny; as well as several great-nieces and great-nephews; and a host of extended friends that she considered family. Ann was preceded in death by her parents, James & Zoel Newland; and her brother, James "Tommy" Newland.

Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, July 11, at the Mena Church of God. Celebration of Ann's life will be conducted by Church of God minister, Brother Mark Lyle, beginning at 2 p.m. Interment will take place at a later date in Mt. Tabor cemetery in Odessa, Mo., beside her parents.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Mount Tabor Cemetery in her honor. The address for the cemetery is 12507 Mt. Tabor Rd. Odessa, Mo 64076