Merl Pilgrim Newsom

Merl grew up on her family’s farm in Denton County. She attended school in Cooper Creek and attended 2 years at what is currently Texas Women’s University. She met James Elvin Newsom in her community and they were married, December 24, 1937.

The family settled in Grand Prairie in 1952 and became members of First Baptist Church of Grand Prairie. She worked in the primary departments and in the nursery for her church for many years. Merl enjoyed cooking, baking and playing shuffle board at the retirement center. She was a member of the First Baptist Church soft ball team.

Merl was a very active woman. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and caring grandmother. She was hard working and family oriented.

Merl is preceded in death by her mother, Florence Roxi Gray Pilgrim; father, Walter J. Pilgrim; husband, James Elvin Newsom; siblings; Leo Morriss, Manuel Pilgrim and Ruth Mason.

She is survived by her daughters Merlene Crisp, Sharon Grubbs and her husband Jerry; grandchildren: Gregory Crisp and his wife, Kathy, Kara Ford and her husband, James, Lisa Slaughter and her husband, Michael, John Grubbs and his wife, Kelly; great-grandchildren: Tommy Crisp, Jimmy Crisp, Shawn Ford, Krystale Wonacott, Trenton Ford, Makayla Ford, Allie Grubbs; great-great-grandchildren: Samuel Ford, Isaac Wonacott, Madison Wonacott and sister Frances Ladell Watkins.