Shirley M. Newton, 79, went home to Jesus on April 3, 2011 in Dodge City. She was born on March 13, 1932 at Salina, the daughter of Charley B. and Ethel Snow (Smith) Steele. She attended Polly High school in Long Beach, California.

On June 29, 1959 she married Jack Lee Newton in Raton, New Mexico. He preceded her in death on May 25, 1982.

Shirley was one of the first lady school bus drivers for U.S.D.#443 in Dodge City for 11 years. She was also a housekeeper for Wilroads Gardens Christian Church from 1990 to July of 2010 and sold Avon for 40 years.

She was a member of the Wilroads Gardens Christian Church of Wilroads Gardens and a member of Senior Friends of Dodge City.

Survivors include a son Charley E. Newton of Dodge City; two daughters, Valerie E. Jordan of Morgantown West Virginia and Tasha L. Nuci and husband Joe, of Dodge City; six grandchildren, Kody Humble of Dodge City, Brandi Lesback and husband Ryan of Castle Rock, Colorado, Lisa Pancoast and husband Brian of West Virginia, Jesse Martinez and wife Shonna of Topeka, and Kristin Shipley and husband Aaron of Little Rock, Arkansas and Luke Newton of Dodge City; and 7 great grandchildren; and a nephew Randy Schweitzer and wife Tammy of Dodge City. She was preceded in death by her parents, a step mother Faye Steele, a sister Donna Schweitzer, a brother Buzz Short, and an adopted brother Jim Flake.

A celebration of life service will be held at Wiroads Gardens Christian Church on Friday, April 8, 2011 at 10:00 A.M. Mr. Jeff Hiers presiding. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City . Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Home on Thursday, April 7, 2011 from from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.. Memorials are suggested to the Shirley Newton Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home.