Ann Gayden Newton was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and spent her formative years at Oakland and Sunny Slope plantations in Gurley, La. She was an avid equestrian, enjoying hunting, fishing, and raising cattle with her father. The family moved to Jackson when she was in high school where she attended Central High. Her father retained cattle at Oakland plantation. Ann and her father helped establish the Red Angus Association, and she served as the first secretary of the association at the age of 15.
She returned to Baton Rouge to attend LSU where she was a Chi Omega. Ann met a Deke named George Newton, and their love lasted until his death. Moving to Jackson, they raised their four children. She served in The Junior League in many capacities and was very active in St. James Episcopal Church. A job opportunity took them to San Antonio, until retirement. She was also very active there in St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.
They retired to St. Francisville, La. where they designed and built the home of their dreams. Ann enjoyed her many ministries at Grace Episcopal Church and loved her supper clubs. She also enjoyed her gardens and traveling with George extensively throughout the world. Ann was very involved in preserving the family’s Louisiana history to pass down to her children and other family.
Returning to Jackson to be close to family, Ann returned to her involvement at St. James. A longtime patron of the arts, she enjoyed the ballet, symphony, and all offerings at the museums.
Ann was loved and cherished wherever she lived, and many people enjoyed her hospitality and wonderful food.
She is preceded in death by George Worley Newton and her parents, Dorothy Lea Gayden and John Keller Gayden. She is survived by her children: William Gayden Newton and Lynn Newton, their daughter Hallie Newton, Georgia (Ann) Stokes and Michael Stokes, Melissa Newton Crouch, and George Newton Jr., as well as her sister, Irene Gayden Mangum, and her family.
A funeral service to honor and celebrate Ann’s life will be held on December 11, 2025 at 2 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church, located at 3921 Oak Ridge Dr., Jackson MS. Visitation will take place prior to the service in Fowler Hall at the church, starting at 12:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. James Episcopal Church choir or Altar Guild, as well as The Mustard Seed in Jackson. The family would like to thank the angels at Heart of Hospice and Private Caregivers Group, especially Shirley, Sharon and Yolanda for their love, devotion and wonderful care giving.
