Mary Christine Matkin Newman

Mary Christine Matkin Newman, 82, of Lake Charles passed away Wednesday, June 06, 2012 in a local healthcare facility.

Mrs. Newman was born, raised and educated in Boyce, LA and has lived over sixty years in Lake Charles. She was a graduate of Sowela Technical Institute where she attained a Nursing license. Mrs. Matkin worked nearly thirty years as an LPN for Dr. Tom DeLaureal at Lake Charles Medical Surgical Clinic. She also worked in many local nursing homes. Mrs. Newman enjoyed sewing, crocheting, cross stitching, quilting, flower gardening and above all, playing bingo. She was formerly a member of First Christian Church.

Mrs. Newman will be most remembered for always having a "gift" of caring for elderly people, even after entering the nursing home as a patient.

She leaves to cherish her memory, three sons, James Newman of Odessa, TX, Michael Newman and wife Cathy of Katy, TX and Scott Newman and wife Elizabeth of Reeves, LA; three daughters, Terri McGinnis and husband Eddie of Westlake, Johnnie Collins and husband Bobby of Sulphur and Bennie Shortridge and husband Mike of Reeves; eighteen grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; two brothers, James Matkin and wife Rose of Colfax, LA and Frank Matkin and wife Gloria of Alexandria and three sisters; Eleanora Hodges of Pineville, Zelma Hillman of Alexandria and Thelma McCoy of Atlanta, GA.

She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-nine years, Elie Newman; one granddaughter, Lori Collins; her parents and two brothers.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM Saturday, June 09, 2012 in the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Rocky East will officiate. Interment will follow in Black Bayou Cemetery. Visitation Friday will be from 3:00 PM until 9:00 PM and will continue Saturday from 8:00 AM until the time of service in the funeral home.