Nona Mildred Jewell Appleton, a native of Gibson County, Tenn., was born on June 12, 1920, to Nona and Grover Jewell and died on September 1, 2020.
After her mother’s death, Mildred was raised by her grandparents H.L. and Kate Johnston Lett, and her aunts and uncles in Bradford, Tenn. During World War II, she worked at a munitions plant outside of Milan and met her future husband, Ralph. After the birth of their first child and the completion of Ralph’s college education, the family moved to Newport, where Mildred raised their four children, was active in First Presbyterian Church, Chapter R, PEO, and multiple bridge groups.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Ralph (1968), her younger son Donald (2013), and at the age of 100, has outlived many close friends, bridge partners and tennis opponents.
She is survived by her son, Jim Appleton (Donna), Charlotte, NC, daughters, Jane Bratton, Clarksville, Tenn., Rosemary McGinnis (Paul), Little Rock, and daughter-in-law, Robin Ap-pleton, (Fred Nelson), Bentonville. She also leaves five granddaughters, Katherine, Amy, Ellen, Lindsay, Mille, and six great-grandchildren. The family will gather for a private ceremony at Walnut Grove Cemetery to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates donations to the Jackson County Library, 213 Walnut Street, Newport, AR 72112 or Walnut Grove Cemetery Association, c/o Carol Brand, 9 Virginia Road, Newport, AR 72112.
