Naoma F. "Midge" Newcomb

Naoma F. "Midge" Newcomb, 77, of Robinson, IL, passed away on November 25, 2022, at Crawford Memorial Hospital in Robinson. She was born on September 3, 1945, in Poplar Bluff, MO, the daughter of Lena Eugenia (Newsom) Warren. She spent her early years under the loving care of her cherished grandparents, Elva and Elam Newsom. From the shared stories drawn from her memory, one knows her grandparents were beautiful people inside and out and that they directly influenced the kind and loving person she was. Naoma cherished the time she shared in the devoted care of her grandparents and she held her treasured moments with them close to her heart throughout all of her days.

Midge started school in Poplar Bluff while living with her grandparents. Her educational resume includes school attendance in three states: Missouri, Alabama and Florida.

In the early 1970s, while living in the New Smyrna, Florida area with her daughter Alisa, she met Wendell Newcomb, who was the manager of a local shoe store. She offered to lend a hand trimming the store's shoe display window, and this was to be the first of many decorative trimmings they would do together, in one form or another, over the course of their life together. They married on June 11, 1972, beginning a partnership that would last over fifty years. In 1977, they moved to Crawford County, with their baby daughter Shannon, and together founded and operated a handful of businesses. These ventures included a furniture stripping and refinishing business (the Strippery); a car washing and detailing shop (Midee Clean); a specialty store for which they bred and raised birds (the Bird House) and finally a home remodeling business as Wendell & Co., specializing in kitchens, bathrooms and floors.

Their business ventures granted opportunities to meet many people and develop long-lasting and cherished friendships. Those who knew Midge will attest that she was a woman who wouldn't keep still. She liked adventure whether it be a new job project, Sunday drive excursions exploring roads yet traveled, or visiting new and known antique shops browsing the collections for something special to bring home. In the past 20-plus years, Midge's adventure map expanded to include visits with family living in Switzerland and excursions to various European destinations. At home, Midge busied herself with flower gardening and handcrafts including cross stitch and crochet. Later, when her arthritic hands prevented her from those activities, she taught herself to weave using a weaving loom. Visitors to her home could not leave empty handed, and many carried with them one of her handmade woven scarves or table runners on their way to the door.

Midge's unbridled passion for animals and living creatures was a strong golden thread woven within her spirit. Her kind words and caring hands were always at the ready to greet, feed, assist, rescue, or relocate both domestic pets and wild animals that crossed her path. The Newcomb home landscaping and surroundings were thoughtfully planned with fur and feathered friends in mind. Sipping coffee while peering through the large picture windows is similar to being in a wildlife refuge. Midge especially enjoyed decorating the home for the holidays and she loved hosting the family gatherings for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Few things brought more joy than sharing her time and conversations with others. Her infectious laughter and kind heart will always be affectionately remembered as she was sunshine personified. Throughout her 77 years, she reminded us all that life is what you make it. We are so thankful that she made hers a good one!

She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Wendell Newcomb; by her daughters, Alisa & Markus Hodel and Shannon & Jason Pargin; by her grandchildren, Jonathon E. & Jamie Goff, Ashlie N. Goff & Hany Abdalla, and Joshua D. Goff and girlfriend Rachel O'Rourke; by two great-grandchildren, Madilynn M. Goff and Preston D. Goff; by two half sisters, Barbara Winters and Diana Clanahan; by her sisters-in-law & brothers-in-law, Evelyn & Joe Bliss and Carol & Bill Gosnell; and by numerous nieces, nephews, and numerous dear friends, especially including Shelley Johnson, Jody Burns, and Karen Catt.

She was preceded in death by her mother; her grandparents, Elva (Guess) Newsom & Elam Henry Newsom; her sister, Rhonda Sue McKendrick; and her brother, James Burl Johnston.

A celebration of her life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 30th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson, with Celebrant Curt Goodwine officiating. Those friends and family who have a scarf made by Midge are invited to wear theirs for the service. Burial will be in the Oblong Cemetery. In honor of her love of animals, memorial contributions may be made to the "Crawford County Humane Society", with envelopes available at the funeral home.