Ramona Kay "Punkin" Newsom Tanner

Ramona Kay “Punkin” Newsom Tanner, age 67, of Lisbon, LA, passed away to her Eternal Home on January 3, 2025. After a battle with brain cancer, she is finally in her Heavenly Home healed and free of pain in the loving arms of Jesus. 

Punkin was born June 24, 1957, to Hervis Shelton Newsom and Yvonne McEachern Newsom at Haynesville General Hospital in Haynesville, LA. She was lovingly given the nickname of “Punkin” by her father at a very early age. She was then called “Punkin” by her family and friends the rest of her life. Punkin was a member of Rocky Springs Baptist Church, Lisbon, LA. 

Punkin had a love for cooking. She enjoyed cooking for church gatherings, family, and friends. She had many hobbies such as crocheting, painting, floral arrangements, and decorating her home for all holidays. Punkin loved playing Canasta with her card group of ladies. She also loved playing Canasta with Sharon White, Linda McKenzie, Stephanie Mott, and Sheila Hales. The five ladies would play cards, then have supper that Punkin usually cooked for all of them. Playing cards till late in the night, laughing and Punkin telling the ladies if they made a mistake. Punkin taught them well. She had a “Special Little Friend,” that she called her little girl, Holly White. Holly would call her Punkin Ann and Punkin would say, “all right you’re my Special Little Girl.” Holly loved Punkin dearly and Punkin loved her as if she was her own little girl, even though Holly is a grown woman.

She is survived by two children, Kenneth “Ken” Tanner and wife Lindsay and Rachel Tanner Hackler and husband David; three grandchildren, Avery, Jase, and Owen; the father of her children, Wayne Tanner; brother, Jeffrey Newson and wife Mary; two special aunts, Mary Clark and Martha Petrey; nieces and nephew, Lucy, Joseph, Natalie, and Cally; two cousins, Brian Irby that was like a little brother and Stephanie Irby that was like a little sister; along with other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., at Rocky Springs Baptist Church, 423 Rocky Springs Road, Lisbon, LA, and Dr. Chris Stephens, officiated. Visitation was on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Homer, LA, from 4-7 p.m. Interment was at Rocky Springs Cemetery. 

A special “Thanks” to Dr. Cliff Salmon, Dr. David Tyler, Dr Anil Veluvolu, Dr. Matthew Hefner, and Dr. Timothy Talbert, Presbyterian Village, and Passages Hospice for all the compassion and care she received. The family would like to express their gratitude to the “Traveling Group,” which carried Punkin to her radiation and doctors appointments. 

Pallbearers were Rick Collins, Floyd Burns, Sonny Greeson, Joseph Newsom, Corey Petrey, and Stanley Newsom.

Honorary pallbearers were the deasons of Rocky Springs Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers honoring Punkin, her family is asking that contributions be made to offset her final arrangements to Sharon White, 219 Gill Street, Homer, LA 71040. 

 Rose-Neath Funeral Home

Homer Chapel (318) 927-6110