Leona Elizabeth Newsom

Leona was born Jan. 20, 1929 to B.M. and Josephine Britten in Groom,Tx. She graduated from Groom High School and went on to San Jacinto Beauty College, graduated and began her career as a cosmetologist working for Edith’s Beauty Shop in Groom.  She married W.R. (Bob) Babcock in Groom Sept, 1949 and began her life as a caregiver, caring for the three children born to she and Bob. In 1967 Bob was injured in a farm accident resulting in his becoming a paraplegic.  Leona cared for him for 2 years before his death in 1969.  She cared for him faithfully throughout his many ups and downs despite having no formal nursing training.  She made sure that his three children graduated High School and went on to college if that was their desire.  After Bob died Leona went to Groom Memorial Hospital School of Nursing for LVN training.  She graduated and began a long career in nursing.  She worked for 15 years as a LVN in the hospital in Groom and nursing homes in the area.  She was a caregiver for her mother Josephine before her death in 1992. In 1983 she graduated from Northwest Texas Hospital School of Nursing.  She continued caring for the elderly in McClean and Claude until declining health made her retire around 1997.  Mom loved old people and kids.In 1973 she married AJ Newsom.  They were married 36 years at the time of his death in 2009.   AJ and Leona had many travels during their marriage always going to visit one child or another venturing as far as Alaska to see son Dan or to Germany to see daughter Bunny.  And always on their return to Groom son Jim was there to offer a helping hand when needed.Leona lived the last 9 years in Amarillo with AJ and her daughter Bunny caring for them, as was her style.She was preceded in death by her first husband Bob in 1969, second husband AJ in 2009, a son Jim in 1996, two sisters Margaret and Louise, and her parents.Left to cherish her memory are son Dan and wife Becky Babcock of Robertson, WY and daughter Yuvonne (Bunny) York of Groom and Amarillo. Daughters Linda and husband Garvin Williams of Amarillo and Kaye and husband Cary Pratt of Claude. Grandsons David York and fiancé Stephany of Dimmitt, Amos Babcock of Anchorage, Alaska, Andy York and Melissa of Colorado Springs, Karen Loughran and husband Sean of Rochester, Mn., a grandson by choice Sam Harrell of Colorado Springs, Co. and granddaughter by choice Susan Babcock and husband Clint. Stephanie and husband Adrian Farris, Bobbie Shea and husband Jeremy Baskett all of Amarillo, Chelsea Pratt of Dallas, Christie and husband Clint Olsen, JoLee and husband Brandon Junell all of Amarillo.   She is also survived by 11 great-grands.  Five brothers also survive her: Ray, Tom and Jiggs Britten of Groom, Bud(Smiley)Britten of White Deer, and Melvin(Tobe)Britten of Duncan, OK.     Leona answered to many names to different people.  She was Mom to her kids, Grandma to her grandchildren and all the people at Northwest Texas Hospital Labor and Delivery, who adopted her as their own and Aunt Short to a host of nieces and nephews she leaves behind.  She was a great lady and a powerful prayer warrior and she will be missed.The family will be at 311 Shelton in Groom.The family requests memorials be made to Groom Ambulance Fund or the Susan Babcock-Harp Scholarship Fund at WTAMU.

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