Garoldine New

Mrs. Ruth Garoldine New, 85, of Jacksonville, Arkansas passed away Thursday July 7, 2022. 

She was born at home in Daviess County, Missouri on January 12, 1937 to Woodrow and Ruth Brown. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 64 years, Larry Lee New, and infant granddaughter Jennifer Denise Prince. 

She is survived by her brother, Larry Brown and his wife Beverly of Kansas City, MO; Three children: daughter Gerri Prince and husband Dennis of Austin, son David New and wife Connie of Little Rock, son Gerald New and wife Sonya of North Little Rock; Five grandchildren: Brian Prince of Kansas City, Missouri; Christopher New and wife Liz of Little Rock; Alicia New Conner and husband Drew of Fayetteville; Matthew New and Katie New of North Little Rock.  Three great-grandchildren: Cash New, Brady New and Taylor New. 

Garoldine was united in marriage to the love of her life, Larry on September 2, 1956, in Jamesport, Missouri enjoying 64 years of marriage until his death September 30, 2020.  Garoldine and Larry lived a typical Air Force life, moving from place to place, family in tow.  They lived in Colorado, Spain, Michigan, Louisiana, Arkansas, Guam before returning to Arkansas when Larry retired in 1973.  She taught and shared her love for music everywhere they lived.  

Garoldine would like to be remembered for her love of God, family, music and her devotion and service to First United Methodist Church in Jacksonville, Arkansas. 

When the family first moved to Jacksonville in 1966, they joined the First United Methodist Church.  Soon after she began her service there by filling in as an organist when Melda Rice needed help.  She continued to serve until the family moved to Guam 4 ½ years later.  When they returned in 1973, she resumed teaching in the community and once again began serving as an occasional organist at First United Methodist. 

From 1982 – 1988 Garoldine assumed the position of Music Director of all adult and youth music programs including choir, handbells, and all activities that included music.  There were even times she included string ensembles and band instruments.  She left her director position from 1989 – 1994, but returned from 1995 – 2009 as organist/pianist and handbell director; 4 years of which included directing the children’s choir.

In 2005, due to problems with her hands, God called her to pass on the Music Director responsibility to someone else.  Her focus then became the handbell choir, which quickly expanded into multiple groups.  The handbell choir, which spanned across 20 years, became her true legacy and second love to playing and teaching piano.  She always said the bell ringers were the most faithful of all.   Garoldine also served on many church committees:  Board of Trustees, Finance and Staff Parrish Relations.  She also sang with the Joyful Noise and the Chancel Choir. 

In 2007 Garoldine had a devastating brain-stem stroke, but after an intense year of prayer and hard work, this strong and courageous woman was able to return in 2008 and direct the handbell choirs until May of 2009. 

Never afraid to try new things, Garoldine also served several volunteer years in youth baseball and softball as coach, league commissioner, and official scorer.   She would frequently say that she was never smart enough to give up or that there were some things that she couldn’t do by working hard!  An attitude her mother-in-law Marjorie New often encouraged by saying: “Be not concerned, be not surprised, if what you do is criticized.  Mistakes are made, we can’t deny.  They’re only made by folks who try.” 

Garoldine will be served by honorary pallbearers: Caleb Tyson, Ethan and Eric Carter, Landon and Lance Nolen, Maddie Johnson, Mark Wilson, Philip Cullins, Gary White, John Brower, John Washok, Larry Zaitz, Jr Williams (deceased), all the handbell ringers that ever played and all her amazing caregivers from Wright By Your Side. 

Garoldine believed that “growing old” was no more than a bad habit, which, as a busy person, she had no time for.  She definitely never learned to act her age.  She also believed that our greatest glory consisted not in ‘never falling’ but instead in ‘rising’ every time we fell. 

Rise high, Garoldine, rise high!

Visitation will be Monday July 11 from 5:00 to 7:00 at First United Methodist Church on Main Street in Jacksonville. 

Services will be Tuesday July 12 at 2:30 p.m. with an hour of visitation prior to the service.  Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Park in Jacksonville.  Live streamed at:  https://www.jacksonvilleumc.org  

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to:

Jacksonville First United Methodist Church/Music Ministry

308 West Main St., Jacksonville, AR 72076

Or

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital:  PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929