Martha Elizabeth Spillers Newton, age 100, passed away Saturday, February 6, 2021, at Brookdale Assisted Living in Russellville. She was born January 28, 1921, in Russellville to Jess Wilson and Viola Simpson Spillers.

She married James Edward Newton whom she met while a sophomore in high school and he was a freshman at Arkansas Polytechnic College, now Arkansas Tech University. They had almost 56 years together before his death May 21, 1999.

Martha was a lifetime member of the First Christian Church and served faithfully throughout her long-life.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a brother, Fred Spillers; and a son, John Newton.

She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Jamie Newton Barrere (Clem) of Houston Texas and Jan Newton Hicky (Bliss) of Memphis, Tennessee; a daughter-in-law, Susan Franklin Newton of Russellville; five grandchildren, Mary Elizabeth Hicky Maynard (Fletcher) of Chapel Hill North Carolina, William Hicky of Nashville, Tennessee, John Barrere (Kate) of Houston, Texas, Morgan Newton Ramey (Clay) of Little Rock, and Michael Newton of Little Rock; two great-granddaughters, Bliss Maynard and Mims Maynard both of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; and two great-grandsons, William Ramey of Little Rock and Frederick Barrere of Houston; one nephew, Billy Newton (Marlene) of Russellville; one niece, Lynn Newton Wagner (Paul) of Toney, Alabama; three great-nephews and two great-nieces; special friends, Flave and Ella Ann Peters and their families; a longtime companion and caregiver, Delores Bryan; Chaplain, Cullianne Foster; Hospice Nurse, Corey Helton; Hospice Aide, Kattie Carter and many other relatives, caregivers and friends.

An open viewing will be held on Thursday, February 11, 2021, from 9:00 a.m., until 4:00 p.m., at the funeral home.

A private burial for the family where she will be laid to rest alongside her husband and only son, John, will be held in Oakland Cemetery, in Russellville and under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.

Memorials may be given in her name to the James E. and Martha S. Newton Scholarship Fund: Arkansas Tech Foundation, Attn: James & Martha Newton Scholarship, 8820 Tech Lane, Russellville, Arkansas 72801, Kindred Hospice, 3801 W. Main Street, Suite A, Russellville, Arkansas 72801 or to the American Cancer Society, in care of: Judy Murphy, 126 Lakeview Circle, Russellville, Arkansas 72802.

The online obituary and guest book are available at www.shinnfuneral.com.