Valerie Newsome

PETTUS-ROWLAND FUNERAL HOME, INC.


VALERIE E. NEWSOME

( April 05, 1926 - November 02, 2016 )

Valerie Elizabeth Newsome, 90, of Paducah, made her Heavenly Transition from her residence on Wednesday, November 2, 2016, at 7:11 p.m. She was born April 5, 1926, to the late Robert William and Ella M. Long Morris. She married her late husband, Ira L. Newsome in 1946 in Paducah; they were married for 42 years and have two daughters, Corine Harber and Reverend Donna G. Hawkins.

Mrs. Newsome was the oldest member of Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church where she served as a deaconess, as a Kindergarten Sunday School Teacher for 33 years, was past-president of both the Missionary Circle and the Senior Choir, and was a member of the Eveready Chorus, the Inspirational Choir, the Golden Tone Gospel Chorus, and the Usher Board. She was the only member who had a husband and two sons-in-law on the cornerstone of the church.
Her favorite saying was, "Just one of those things".

Mrs. Newsome, a true servant who loved serving others, was deeply involved in the activities of the community and the surrounding area. She was a member and assistant secretary of the Interdenominational Union Choir; a member of the Inspirational Voices of Paducah, Church Women United; life member of both the NAACP and P.A.M.P.E.R.; Paducah Ambassadors; and KY Retirement Association. She was past president of Missionary Circle No. 2 for the First District of the General Association of Baptist in Kentucky; Secretary of Rowlandtown Neighborhood Watch Association; participant in the Heavenly Seniors Programs at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, Ninth Street Tabernacle Ministries, Harrison Street Missionary Baptist Church, and Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. Mrs. Newsome was also named a Duchess of Paducah and a Kentucky Colonel.

She was greatly involved in several Masonic Fraternal Organizations including being Past Worth Matron of Queen of the South Chapter 54; Past District Deputy Grand Matron of the Far Western District of Cecelia Dunlap Grand Chapter, Order of Eastern Star; Past Grand Worthy Matron of Cecelia Dunlap Grand Chapter, O.E.S., PHA; member of the Midwest Les Amies Club; charter member and first Loyal Lady Ruler of Paducah Assembly, No. 92, Order of the Golden Circle; Past State Grand Loyal Lady Ruler of Kentucky State Grand Assembly, Order of the Golden Circle; charter member, first Treasurer, and Past Illustrious Commandress of Balkis Court, No. 156, Prince Hall Daughters; charter member and first Guardian of Diamond Chamber, No. 4, O.E.S; Past Grand Advisor of Copeland Grand Chamber of Diamonds, O.E.S. of Kentucky.

Mrs. Newsome was quite the cook, especially known for her chess cakes, chicken and dumplins, and pumpkin bread. She was very fond of singing, traveling and visiting flea markets, carrying on a friendly conversation and especially loved her children, immediate family and church family.

Mrs. Newsome is survived by two daughters, Corine E. (Jimmy) Harber and Reverend Donna G. (Henderson) Hawkins, both of Paducah; 3 grandchildren, Alisa (Rodney) Harber-Smith, Paducah, Christi Harber, Chicago, IL and Henderson (Ketesa) Allen, Grand Blanc, MI; five great-grandchildren, Roderic Smith, Jalisa Smith and Joya Smith, all of Paducah, Jayden Allen and Jorden Allen, both of Grand Blanc, MI; a foster daughter, Debra Jones of Paducah; three nieces, Evelyn Capelton and Sherona (Lee) Waldon, both of Paducah, and Jackie (William) Travis, Jacksonville, FL; one nephew, Eddie Lee (Pearl) Long, Decatur, IL; special friends, Mildred Arnold and Mattie Bryant, both of Paducah; a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Ira Newsome; parents, Robert William and Ella Mae Long Morris, two brothers, Raymond Morris and Preston Morris; two sisters, Vivian Arnold and Gloria Tobin; one nephew whom she raised as a son, Aloise Arnold, Jr.

A Homegoing Celebration will be held Sunday, November 6, 2016, 6:00 p.m., at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church with Reverend Dr. Calvin R. Cole, Sr. and Reverend Donna G. Hawkins officiating. Burial will follow on Monday, November 7, 2016, 10:00 a.m. in Maplelawn Park Cemetery.

Friends may also call on the family on Sunday at the church from 4:00 p.m. until the celebration hour. Order of the Eastern Star rites will be performed at the church on Sunday at 5:15 p.m.