Gladston Thomas Newman

GLADSTON THOMAS NEWMAN, United States Veteran, longtime resident of the Bethlehem-Hebron Communities and well known Fayette County farmer, cattleman and landowner, died at 12:25 A.M. Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at his residence on Newman Way. He was 84 years of age and died following an extended illness.

Funeral services for Mr. Newman were conducted at 2 P.M. Friday December 14th at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel on Highway 64 near Oakland with Elder Richard Campbell, Elder Wayman Chapell, Rev. Gregory Stewart and Elder James Howell, officiating. Interment with Military Honors followed in the Hebron Cemetery of the Bethlehem Community. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Home-West Chapel of Oakland.

Mr. Newman was born October 17, 1923 in Ripley, TN. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Monroe Newman and Neely Ann Harrison Newman.

Mr. Newman served in the United States Navy during World War II as a Seaman First Class. He was married in 1946 to the former Birdie Marie Leath, the mother of his children, who preceded him in death in 1972. He was later married to the former Jottye Espey, who survives.

Long active in the agricultural, civic and church activities of his community, Mr. Newman was a farmer, landowner and cattleman for many years in the Hebron-Bethlehem areas. He was a devoted member of the First Primitive Baptist Church in Memphis where he participated in numerous church activities and served as a deacon. He was involved in military activities in the county for many years and was a strong supporter and member of the Fayette County Veteran of Foreign Wars Post #5013. A patriotic person who loved the rural way of life and all aspects of agriculture, Mr. Newman will be remembered for his devotion to and love for his family, his church, his community and his country. He enjoyed his cattle and his border collies as long as health permitted.

In addition to his wife he is survived by three daughters: Diane Newman Graves of Stanton, Sandra Newman Dowdy and Judy Newman Patton, both of Somerville; two sons, Ronnie Gene Newman, Sr. and Thomas Glenn Newman, both of Stanton; his sister, Mary Forsythe of Ripley, TN; his step-children: Danny Leath and Jimmy Leath, both of Stanton and Faye Leath Howse of Brownsville; eight grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Glenn Newman, Ronnie Newman, Brian Dowdy, Lee Graves, Joey Henson and Gene Newman.
Honorary Casketbearers were members of the Fayette County VFW Post #5013.

The family requests that Memorials be directed to the Hebron Cemetery Association, C/O Danny or Cindy Pattat, 6885 Yum Yum Road, Somerville, TN  38068.