Della Mae Newman, a lifelong resident of Marshall, Missouri, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2024, at the age of 84.
She was born on May 8, 1940, in Marshall, to Albert Francis Dickson and Juanita Drewer Dickson. Della was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Albert Dickson, Jr., and her granddaughter Natasha.
Della leaves behind three loving children: Jenifer, Christopher, and Deborah. Her family was her pride and joy, and as her family grew, so did her love for her nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her three sisters, Francis, Holly, and Marsha.
Della lived a life marked by devotion to her family, faith, and service to others. She was a member of Gill Memorial Baptist Church and also a member of Harvester Community Church of Land O’ Lakes, Florida by affiliation. Earning a Bachelor of Science degree, she later worked toward a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice. Della’s career took many paths, but she found great fulfillment in her work at the Marshall Habilitation Center, where she served as a ward unit manager.
Her passion for education and service continued as she taught adult education and later became a teacher at the Boonville Correctional Facility from where she retired. After retirement, she worked as a 911 operator in Slater. One of her most treasured accomplishments was founding a boys’ choir at the prison, where she taught the young men about Jesus Christ. Della took great pride in the choir’s beautiful Christmas pageant, telling the story of the birth and life of Jesus. On her last day before retiring, the boys sang a heartfelt goodbye and wished her well in her retirement.
Della’s love for God was evident in everything she did. She was a member of the Harvester’s Sisters in Spirit, Daughters of Rebekah, Optimist Club, Saline County Historical Society, and volunteered at the women’s shelter in Marshall. Her life was one of constant service, and she touched many lives with her kindness and unwavering faith.
A Celebration of Della’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 3, 2025, at Gill Memorial Baptist Church, with Rev. David Slusher officiating. Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. prior to the service. Inurnment will be in Sunset Gardens Cemetery in Marshall. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association in care of Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home. Friends may sign the online register book at www.campbell-lewis.com
Della’s family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to everyone for their support during this time of loss. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.