Elizabeth Ann Houser Newton passed away peacefully at her daughter's home in Cherryville, NC on February 28, 2024.

Ann was born in Gastonia, NC on June 3rd, 1935. Ann graduated with honors from Cherryville High School in 1953. She earned a BA in Education from Lenoir Rhyne College in three years, graduating in 1956. Ann married Charles Richard Newton on June 10, 1956. Ann and Richard spent 46 years together in marriage and were blessed with 2 children, Charles Michael Newton and Mary Elizabeth Newton Cox. Ann taught elementary school in Cherryville, NC for 41 years. She loved children and teaching. Ann enjoyed talking about the children whom she taught and their achievements while in school and later. Ann was awarded Teacher of the Year on multiple occasions and was a member Delta Kappa Gamma (International Society for Outstanding Women Educators). Ann loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Ann had a strong Christian faith and was a lifelong member of St John's Lutheran Church of Cherryville, NC. She served on various committees and taught Sunday School for many years at St John's.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents Roy and Blanche (McGinnis) Houser and by her husband Richard Newton and a brother Tom Houser.

Ann is survived by a sister, Brenda Stewart (Richard) of Cayce, SC; a son, Charles Newton (Louise) of Lexington, SC; a daughter, Mary Cox (Ben) of Cherryville, NC; grandchildren Meg Niblock (Lance) of Fort Mill, SC; Michael Newton (Johanna) of Pittsburgh, PA; Tripp McSwain (Anna) of Charlotte, NC; John McSwain (Kayla) of Cherryville, NC; and Mary Beth McSwain of Cherryville, NC; and by great grandchildren Charlie Niblock, Hank Niblock, Lucy McSwain, Jack McSwain, Will McSwain, Isabelle Robinson, Hudson McSwain, Connor McSwain and Jace McSwain.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, March 1, 2024, at St. John's Lutheran Church, with Pastor G Scott Homesley officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 1:45 PM prior to the service at the church.

The family wishes to express their appreciation and thanks to Ann's caregivers - Regina Mutz, Willie McCluney, Vickey Lackey and Erica Kelly, as well as to Cleveland County Hospice. The family requests that any memorials be made to St. John's Lutheran Church or Cleveland County Hospice.

Condolences may be made to www.carpenterporter.com