Michelle Newman

When Michelle Newman’s husband, Greg, passed away in 2022, she faced a profound sense of loss and uncertainty.

At 53-years-old, Michelle found herself grappling with the void left behind by Greg’s absence.

“Our two oldest boys were in college at OSU, and our daughter had just graduated high school,” Michelle recalls. “Suddenly, it was just me in the house, and I was lonely.”

The transition to widowhood was anything but easy for Michelle.

“What they don’t tell you about losing a spouse is that all your dreams die with them,” she confides, reflecting on the shattered plans she and Greg had shared.

Michelle and Greg had long harbored a dream of exploring the country in an RV, a dream that took root during a memorable family trip to the Grand Canyon in 2012.

“We were very happy,” Michelle recalls wistfully.

Tragically, Greg’s battle with leukemia was brief, ending just four weeks after diagnosis. “It was crushing,” Michelle admits. “We thought we had more time.”

Left to navigate the complex terrain of grief, Michelle found herself at a crossroads. “Everything I did before my husband passed revolved around my family,” she explains. “At 53, with no one to really take care of, it was real depressing. The house was so quiet.”

Yet amid the darkness, Greg’s final wish illuminated a path forward—Michelle decided that it was time to do something different.

“My husband wanted me to enjoy life,” Michelle says, her voice tinged with determination.

In January 2023, Michelle attended an RV show in NWA, where memories of past adventures stirred within her. Despite her initial doubts, the sight of a modest Winnebago reignited a spark of possibility, prompting Michelle to embark on a journey of healing and exploration— she decided to take the trip she and Greg had dreamed of taking.

That day, Michelle happily purchased the RV and admits she felt crazy.

“When I got it home, I thought ‘God, what did I just do?’ I knew nothing about motorhomes and never drove anything bigger than my Tahoe,” she said.

Yet her determination was strong, and the longer she planned the trip, the more determined she became.

In February 2023, with her dog, Bella, by her side, Michelle set out to honor Greg’s memory, traversing the highways and byways of America’s heartland.

From the sun-soaked shores of Daytona Beach to the rugged cliffs of Maine’s coastline, she scattered Greg’s ashes, paying homage to his love for the land. “He wanted his ashes spread in a beautiful place, and I could find no better place than Florida and Maine,” Michelle says.

Michelle’s journey was more than a mere physical odyssey—it was a journey of self-discovery. In the heart of North Carolina, she mastered the art of resilience, learning to change a tire with the aid of YouTube tutorials. In Michigan’s shadowy forests, she confronted her fears as a bear prowled outside her motorhome, her courage unwavering in the face of uncertainty. And in Oregon’s tranquil rivers, she discovered the serenity of solitude, her spirit soaring with each cast of her fly-fishing line. “I did things I never thought I could do,” she brags.

As the miles stretched before her, Michelle found solace in the kindness of strangers turned friends, their stories a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. “I am not lonely anymore,” Michelle declares, her voice brimming with newfound connection, “I found friends all over the country, and the experiences I had have left me feeling full and proud.”

Michelle returned to Sallisaw on December 20th, 2023, just in time for Christmas with her children. “They were all relieved I made it back home,” she says, “I think they thought I would end up on Unsolved Mysteries.” Upon her return, Michelle found that she was carrying not just memories, but a renewed sense of purpose—a purpose forged in the crucible of grief and illuminated by the light of love.

Michelle says that her house is still quiet, and that she occasionally gets lonely since returning, but that the echoes of yesterday are now mixed with the excitement of tomorrow. When asked when her next trip is going to be, Michelle quickly revealed it will be next month to Yellowstone, but this time her daughter will be going with her.

Just Folks is Your TIMES way of honoring the regular people of Sequoyah County, recognizing their unique talents, personalities, jobs, abilities, etc. Your TIMES appreciates the cooperation of each Just Folks and the public’s nominations for this feature. If you know of someone you think might be a good story, contact Amie at 918-775-4433.