TEASDALE — Raymond Preston “R.P.” Newman, Jr. gained his heavenly wings on Monday, April 29, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at Newsom Funeral Home in Charleston.
Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Friday, May 3, at Charleston Church of God. The family will receive friends from 12-1 p.m. before the service. Interment will follow at Bethel Cemetery at Teasdale.
R.P., as he was known, was born on December 9, 1943. He was the oldest of three sons born to Gloria and Preston Newman. He grew up in the communities of Teasdale, Enid, and Charleston.
RP attended East Tallahatchie High School, and was a member of the Class of 1961. In his youth, he enjoyed riding horses and driving fast cars with his friends. He often told fun stories about his 1955 black Chevrolet, his favorite car.
R.P. left the fast cars behind when he met the love of his life, Sue. They were married on June 28, 1963. They soon had two children, Robert and Vickie, who became their entire world. In December of 1966, R.P. took a job as a lineman at Tallahatchie Valley Electric Power Assoc. (TVEPA) in Batesville to support his family. Eventually, he transferred to TVEPA’s Charleston office, and became its branch manager. It was then that R.P. and Sue built their “forever” home in Teasdale. Their home became a place of many family gatherings and memories over the years. When you drove up R.P. and Sue’s driveway, you’d always be welcomed inside, offered a coke and a snack, and have some good laughs and conversation.
Also known as the “the Light Man” to many in the community, R.P. worked countless storms and emergencies to restore power to his neighbors and community. He helped restore power to the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Camille hit in 1969. When the lights went out in his community outside of business hours, he would leave in the middle of the night to restore power. R.P. and Sue’s home became like a TVEPA hub when the Light Man was out restoring power. Sue, their children and even grandchildren, became experts in answering the countless phone calls, taking names of those out of power, and reporting back to R.P. By his retirement, R.P. could pinpoint exactly where the trouble was located just by who called the house because he knew the grid so well. In fact, just three short weeks ago, while in the hospital, he received word that the power was out at his own home and was able to determine the exact issue from the hospital. In 2010, the Light Man retired from TVEPA and spent the next few years taking care of his precious Sue, who passed away on March 4, 2012.
Out of all the things R.P. loved, his family was his biggest treasure. Affectionally known as “Pop,” he enjoyed attending sports games, birthday parties and other family gatherings any time there was a grand or great grandchild involved. If he wasn’t with his family, you could find him listening to his favorite country or gospel songs on repeat at home. He enjoyed playing these songs for his grandchildren and teaching them about the “good old days.”
R.P. was a member and faithful attendee of Charleston Church of God. On Sundays, you could find him at service, and later, the Charleston Country Club for lunch with his church family. Through their time at Charleston COG, R.P. and Sue befriended many people who became life long friends.
Any other day of the week, you’d likely find R.P. playing dominos with some of his life long buddies around town. For many years, their “club” was exclusive, and only the best of the best were allowed to play at the domino club.
R.P. will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and community. He is finally at peace in his eternal home with his Savior and his wife, Sue.
He is survived by his two children, Robert Allen Newman of Charleston and Vickie Sue Newman Newton (Gene) of Hollandale; four grandchildren, Morgan Eskridge (Chad) of Duck Hill, Preston Chase Newman (Lorrin) of Starkville, Emily Newton Lal (Jason) of Knoxville, Tenn., and Shelton Newton (Kaitlyn) of Teasdale; six great grandchildren, Audrey Eskridge, Kathryn McKenzie Lal, Eli Newman, John Raymond Newton, Gracelynn Newton, and Luke Newman; his brother, William Newman (Sue) of Teasdale; his aunt, Maxine Moore (Albert) of Teasdale; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 48 years, Audrey “Sue” Beatrice McKenzie Newman; his parents, Gloria and Preston Newman, Sr.; and one brother, John Lee Newman.
Pallbearers will be Chase Newman, Shelton Newton, Jason Lal, Chad Eskridge, Rodger Aven, and Dr. Ty Hubbard.
Honorary pallbearers are J.T. Vernon, Joe Eddie Meeks, Buck Havens, Mike Havens, Vernon Smith, Corey Taylor, Johnny Taylor, Drew Carpenter, and Rev. Joe May and all his friends from the Domino Club.
The family requests any monetary donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Gideon’s International.
Online condolences may be made at www.newsomfuneralhome.com.
