Guyda Newton

Guyda Newton, 91, a longtime Dover resident, died peacefully in her home while surrounded by her adoring family, on Wednesday, September 21, 2011.

She was born December 22, 1919 in Sylvatus, Virginia, the daughter of the late Lewis M. & Zora Montgomery Smith.

For nearly 20 years, Guyda worked in the City of Dover Income Tax Office, starting as a department clerk and retiring as administrator.

Through her servant's heart, the Winfield United Methodist Church was the focal point and beneficiary of many of Guyda's interest and activities. She spent years serving the church in a variety of areas of ministry and a number of committees. Among her favorites were her active role in the prayer chain, having served on the building committee during the church's most recent renovation, sewing "Memory Bears" and teaching a pie baking class.

When not busy in the kitchen, Guyda stayed active with a variety of handcrafts such as knitting, crocheting and quilting. She also worked with stained glass, and she enjoyed playing in her card club.

On June 25, 1949, she married the love of her life and her husband of 62 years, Tracy Newton, who survives.

Other surviving family members include: three children, Mary Newton Cooper of Dover, Dwight Newton (wife, Christine Walsh-Newton) of Dover, and Kevin Newton (wife, Mary Ellen Lawless) of Akron; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren with a fourth on the way in December; two sisters, Edith Plummer of Dover and Norma Briggs of New Philadelphia; and a brother, Roy Smith, of Dover.

Rev. LuAnn Youngman will officiate a service that celebrates Guyda's life a life that was grounded in her faith and her family, on Saturday, September 24, at 1:00 p.m. in the Winfield United Methodist Church. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Burial Park in New Phila., Following the burial, a meal will be held for family and friends back at Winfield United Methodist Church. Friends may call in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory, Dover on Friday from 5-8 p.m.

Those unable to attend may sign an online register book for Guyda by visiting the "Obituaries & Flowers" link on the funeral home's website.

The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to Community Hospice of Tuscarwas County, 201 W. 3rd St., Dover.