Calhoun-Cleburne-Randolph County AlArchives Obituaries.....Newsome, Nancy A. "Linie" Roberts November 27, 1931 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Shirley Mellon Dewberry dewberry@cableone.net July 28, 2010, 11:00 pm The Anniston Star, Anniston, Alabama - November 27, 1931 Source: The Anniston Star Anniston, Alabama Date: November 27, 1931 MRS. LINIE NEWSOME ANSWERS LAST CALL When Aunt Linie Newsome approached the Turnstile of Night her creed was not emply, colorless thing; up borne by that comforting assurance that her Redeemer lives and was waiting for her on the other shore, she was ready to step out into the Universe of the Future to stroll on a million milky ways, to bathe in the Ocean of Love and Life forevermore; there was a sadness among the Angels when her sweet spirit was wafted into their world just as there was a genuine sadness in the hearts of those who are left to mourn the going of such a lovable, loving character. Stricken during the early hours of Friday morning the merciless, yet merciful paralysis that precedes an easy end of mortal existence, Mrs. Newsome lingered until about 4 o'clock Wednesday at the home of her adopted daughter, Mrs. Joe Ruffin (Rena Adair Ruffin) at 1725 Margurite avenue, and when the spirit roamed free there was grief widespread and sincere in the hearts of those who had known and loved this estimable woman during her long and active life in Oxford, Oxanna and Anniston. Born at Arbacoochee, in Cleburne county, in 1845 Mrs. Newsome moved to Oxford with her family in her early girlhood. She was educated at Oxford college, at that time one of the outstanding institutions of the south. After reaching womanhood she was united in marriage to the late Sterling Newsome, for many years mayor of Oxanna before that section became a part of Anniston. She united with the Methodist church in childhood and no church or other institution ever had a more consistent member. Mrs. Newsome was part and parcel of her community wherever she happened to be, and none were there in her active days who did not receive a benefit for having come in close acquaintanceship with her. Left to finish life's journey alone by the death of her husband about 28 years ago, Mrs. Newsome finished that journey with a patience bordering on the subline; during her shut-in days she retained that sweetness of spirit that made her lovable to such an extent that her brightness, her faith and her foreknowledge of a life eternal just ahead, served as a beacon light for hundreds of those who are left to hold her life as a sweet and lasting memory. In the earlier and middle parts of her life, Mrs. Newsome was indeed a neighbor of the Biblical definition. Few instances were there of helpful need in her part of the city that did not feel her presence as long as she was active in every day affairs. She was truly a ministering spirit to the poor and needy, always carrying with her that sweet spirit of unselfishness that endeared her to all. She did practical things. At the death of Mrs. Ruffin's mother she took the motherless child into the innermost recesses of her heart and seldom has there been a stronger bond of affection than that which grew from that attachment. All during her declining period she was cared for with a sweet tenderness by the woman who had gone into her heart and home as a child, and the last days of the lovable woman who has gone were made peaceful and undisturbed by the prompting of gratitude out of an hones heart. It was the privilege of the writer of this tribute to become acquainted with Aunt Linie in his early boyhood, and he counts that acquaintance next to that of a mother. The memory of her sweetness will linger long after the body has been transformed unto dust, and with the soul of this beautiful character safely anchored where there is no more sorrow he feels that the influence of her life will continue to grow and have its effect among those who likewise knew her in her more active period of life. Mrs. Newsome was the last of the original Roberts family in this county; all of her brothers and sisters have preceded her to the grave. Her surviving nephews and neices are Captain T. Gaines Roberts, who is now in foreign lands; Mrs. M.N. Terrell, of Waco, Texas; J. Oscar Roberts of Gadsden; Frank Roberts, of Tyler, Texas; Mrs. A. C. Moss, of Jacksonville, Texas; E.B. Roberts (Earle Blassingame Roberts), Mrs. James A. Orr, Mrs. W.F. Mellon and Mrs. Sam Mellon, of Oxford; Captain R. Gowan Roberts, of Talladega; W.G. and J.O. Hayes, of Anniston. Mrs. Carl Mankin, of Griffin, Ga., a sister of Mr. Ruffin; Miss Ruth Hayes, of Atlanta; Tom Ruffin, of Birmingham; Mrs. E. J. Wheeler, of Griffin, Ga, and other relatives of the family arrived in Anniston early in the week when it became know that Mrs. Newsome's condition was grave and she was not expected to live. Mrs. Newsome and her late husband were charter members of the Oxanna Methodist church, having helped to organize that church many years ago. She had never removed her membership from that church, although she had made her home here with Mrs. and Mrs. Ruffin since her own home was destroyed by fire several years ago. Source: The Anniston Star Anniston, Alabama Date: November 27, 1931 WIDELY KNOW WOMAN IS LAID TO FINAL REST ---------------------- Mrs. Linie Newsome Buried at Oxford Cemetery After Service Here Funeral services for Mrs. Linie Newsome, age 86, widely known Anniston woman, who passed away Wednesday following a stroke of paralysis last week, were held from the Carpenter Memorial Methodist Church Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. The service was conducted by Rev. C. W. Reid and interment was made in Oxford Cemetery with Usrey in Charge. Pallbearers were W. H. Reynolds, P. C. Wrigley, L. D. Phillips, Jesse Evans, J. A. Hardin and A. H. Quinn. For several years, Mrs. Newsome had made her home with her adopted daughter, Mrs. Joseph R. Ruffin, at 1725 Marguerite Avenue, where she passed away. Mrs. Carl Mankin, of Griffin, Ga., a sister of Mrs. Ruffin; Tom Ruffin of Birmingham, and Mrs. E J. (Ellen Jane) Wheeler were among relatives and close friends who were here at the time of her death. Mrs. Newsome was born in 1845 at Arbacoochee in Cleburne County, but moved to Oxford with here parents when she was a child. She was the last surviving member of her family. Her husband died 28 years ago. Among the nieces and nephews are Captain T. Gaines Roberts who is now visiting in Europe; Mrs. M. N. Terrell; of Waco, Texas; J. O. Roberts; of Tyler, Texas; Mrs. A. C. Moss of Jacksonville, Texas; E. B. Roberts, Mrs. James Orr, Mrs. W. F. Mellon, and Mrs. Sam Mellon, of Oxford, Captain R. Gowan Roberts of Talladega and W. G. (William Gaines Hayes), and J. O. (James Oscar Hayes) Hayes, of Anniston. Mrs. Newsome had united with the Methodist Church at an early age and had participated in affairs of the church as long as her health permitted. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/calhoun/obits/n/newsome279nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/alfiles/ File size: 7.4 Kb