Laura Beth (Cook) Newberry May 25, 1939 ~ October 3, 2026 (age 87)

Laura Beth (Cook) Newberry was born on May 25, 1939, in Seymour, Texas, to Robert Cook and Juanice Benham Cook. She passed away on October 3, 2026, in Clovis, New Mexico.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, Oct. 16 at 10 a.m. at Wheeler Mortuary, with Rick Wilcher officiating. Burial will follow at Causey Cemetery in Causey, New Mexico.  Pallbearers will be James Newberry, Jackson Newberry, Josh Newberry, Heath Williams, Tyson Briscoe, Charles Barton, and Cooper Sparks.

Laura Beth’s father owned Cook Drilling Company and drilled water wells throughout West Texas.  His work kept the family on the move until they eventually made their home in Morton. Growing up with three older brothers and two younger sisters, Laura Beth was part of a large, close-knit family.

She attended Morton High School, where she played basketball, and was active in the Baptist church.  Laura Beth met Dean “Spud” Newberry, and they were married on November 19, 1955, when she was 16 and he was 17. Their 67 years of marriage were filled with a deep and enduring love for one another. They remained devoted to each other until Dean passed away on January 20, 2023.

The young couple began their life together in Clovis, New Mexico, where they remained throughout their marriage. Dean worked for McDaniel’s Floor Covering for 40 years, while Laura Beth stayed home and raised their family. They had three children: Corky, born in 1957; Jack, born in 1959; and Laura Ann, born in 1965.

For many years, Laura Beth used her talent as a seamstress to make clothing for several customers. In 1975, she began working for Clovis Municipal Schools in the Clovis High School cafeteria, where she became manager. Eventually, she transferred to Sandia Elementary School, where she completed her 22 years of service before retiring.

Laura Beth was a talented artist and cake decorator who enjoyed sharing her creativity with others. She and Dean also loved taking their travel trailer to the mountains, especially Cimarron Canyon, where they met many people who became lifelong friends.

Laura Beth was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dean “Spud” Newberry; her father, Robert Cook; her mother, Juanice Benham Cook; her three brothers, Bobby, Jimmy, and Buddy Cook; her sister, Melba Black; and her grandparents, Gus and Laura Benham and Jadie Clarence and Lizzie Cook.

She is survived by her sons, Corky and Wanda Newberry of Clovis, NM; Jack and Julie Newberry of Huntsville, TX; her daughter, Laura Ann and Brad Davis of Bandera, TX; and her grandchildren, James and Sara Newberry of Lubbock, TX; Jackson and Courtney Newberry of Houston, TX; Josh and Victoria Newberry of Cypress, TX; Mary Beth and Heath Williams of Portales, NM; Shelby and Tyson Briscoe of San Antonio, TX; Kolby and Charles Barton of Medina, TX; Cooper Sparks of Fredericksburg, TX; and Rachel Davis of Austin, TX.  She is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; her sister, Carolyn Ratliff; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Laura Beth will be remembered for her strength, creativity, leadership, generous heart, and unwavering devotion to her family. She faced life’s challenges with courage, embraced every chapter with purpose, and filled the lives of those around her with beautiful memories that will be treasured for generations.

The family extends their sincere gratitude to the personnel at ExcelaCare Hospice and the very caring staff at Wheatfields Senior Living Community.

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