Obituary of Isabelle Brown Newberry

Admired for exceptional dedication to family, community, and church, Isabelle Brown Newberry, a lifelong resident of Fort Worth, peacefully passed away at home surrounded by family on January 23, 2025, at the age of 92.

The daughter of Dr. William Porter Brown, Fort Worth’s first dermatologist, and Ruth Cree Haltom Brown, Isabelle grew up on S. Adams Street in Fort Worth before moving with her family to the Haltom Farm. She attended Daggett Elementary School, McLean Junior High, The Hockaday School, and Smith College. Isabelle received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas and a master’s degree from Texas Christian University (while raising three elementary age children.)

At the age of 24, Isabelle married fellow Fort Worth native Huck Newberry, and joined The Junior League of Fort Worth. Following the exemplary commitment of her mother, who studied Braille to better support JLFW’s Lighthouse for the Blind project, she completed her JLFW provisional requirements from her hospital bed after the birth of her first child.  She was widowed at the age of 44.

Isabelle proved to be a stalwart member of JLFW, serving nine terms on the board of directors, twice as treasurer. Her dedication to JLFW opened doors to significant service opportunities that became lifetime commitments: Fort Worth Country Day (founding member, trustee, and president of the parents’ association); The Cliburn (board of directors, advisory council, juror host and volunteer ); Child Study Center; Cook’s Children; Texas Boys Choir (board member); ACH Child and Family Services; Meals on Wheels; Alzheimer’s Association; Lecture Foundation; The Assembly; Fort Worth Garden Club; Fort Worth Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae Association (recipient of the Camilla Beall Outstanding Alumna Award); Fort Worth Club; River Crest Country Club; and First Presbyterian Church.  

An avid and accomplished golfer, Isabelle was River Crest Country Club champion three times (once in each of three different decades) and served on the Texas Golf Association Board of Directors. She was a superb hostess and drew friends of all ages to parties, golf games, casual evenings, and cultural events.

Isabelle was predeceased by her parents; husband, Oliver Perry “Huck” Newberry, Jr.; brother William Porter Brown, Jr., sister, Edna Brown Hibbitts, who passed away on January 20, 2025, three days before Isabelle’s death; and second husband, the Rt. Rev. Sam B. Hulsey. She is survived by daughter Ruthie Gessinger and husband Dick; daughter Beth Phillips and husband Steve; and son O. P. “Huck” Newberry III, and wife Cameron; grandchildren (who called Isabelle “Zizzy”) Marshall Porterfield III and wife Cassie; Perry Porterfield and wife Megan; Brownie Porterfield and wife Katy; Sydney Phillips; William Phillips; Porter Phillips; Marilyn Newberry; Isabelle Newberry; Oliver Newberry IV, and wife Annabelle; and Mack Newberry; and great-grandchildren Zizzy Kate Porterfield; Bobbie Porterfield; Jack Porterfield; Newberry Porterfield; Lennie Porterfield; and Tanner Porterfield. Isabelle’s surviving extended family includes cousins Dana Haltom Freese, Jane Haltom Cote, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank Isabelle’s dedicated care givers, Dr. Allan Kelly, Carol Preston, Muluka Belachew, and Tricia Dible.

Funeral officiated by The Reverend Dr. Michael Waschevski will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, January 31, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church, 1000 Penn Street, Fort Worth, Texas with a reception to follow at a location to be announced during the Service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to First Presbyterian Church Mission and Outreach, The Cliburn, Child Study Center Cook’s Children, Fort Worth Country Day, or a charity of your choice.