Annie Elizabeth Newman, age 97, entered her heavenly home Sunday, January 15, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. Born on July 14, 1925, in Oxly, MO, she was the youngest of 7 children born to Lon Charles McLemore and Shelly Rose Hawks McLemore.
Elizabeth graduated from Medina High School in 1943 where she played basketball. After graduating from West Tennessee Business College, she moved to Oak Ridge, TN, and worked at the military plant. While in Oak Ridge, she loved the big bands who entertained every weekend and became well-known for winning many jitterbug dance contests. She met and then married the late Woodrow Newman in 1946.
Elizabeth’s career began with the National Bank of Commerce and spanned 30 years, where she started as a teller and later became the Branch Manager/Loan Officer at the Highland Park Branch. She later joined 1st Tennessee Bank where she worked for another ten years.
The Newmans were members of Poplar Heights Baptist Church, and Elizabeth was active in many church roles. She was a Bible teacher, taught Girls Auxiliary, was president of the Baptist Mission’s Union, and sang in the choir. Also active in the community, she enjoyed her time as a Cub Scout Leader.
You could often find Elizabeth cheering her children from the sidelines of many sporting events and various activities at night and on the weekends. Later in life, she enjoyed playing cards and being with her extended family.
Elizabeth was always searching to know the Lord more. In 1975, when she was 50 years old, she earned her diploma from Rhema Bible Training College. She will be remembered for her love for God, her gentle acceptance of all people, her effectual prayers, her enduring faith, and her love of God’s word.
Those who will forever cherish her memory are her children, Woodrow W. Newman, Jr., of Murfreesboro, TN, and Debbie Newman Currie (Dean) of Jackson, TN; grandchildren, Kristen Currie Hunt (Jeremy), Katie Currie, and Destiny Newman; and great-grandchildren, Kloie and Draven Ferrary, and Hayes, Hudson, and Ellie Tate Hunt.
Other than her husband, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Verble Graves, Blondel Darby, Jewel Graves, Weldon McLemore, Violet Pope, and Louise Replogle.
SERVICE: A Memorial Service will take place Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Arrington Funeral Directors. Visitation with family and friends will be from 2:30 p.m. until the service time at 4:00 p.m. at Arrington Funeral Directors. There will be a private family burial.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be directed to the Scarlet Rope Project, P.O. Box 7937, Jackson, TN 38302, or online at https://www.scarletropeproject.com/take-action or to the University School of Jackson’s Prayer Garden, 232 McClellan Road, Jackson, TN 38305 or online at https://usjbruins.org/support-usj/give-now.
Arrington Funeral Directors 148 W. University Parkway Jackson, TN 38305
731-668-1111 www.arringtonfuneralgroup.com