Elizabeth Jane Newman

Mom was born at home on March 13, 1935, (like her brothers and sister) on the farm where they lived a few miles outside of Springville, AL. She and her sister Sherley and their 3 brothers Paul, Murriam and Tommy grew up there. They were surrounded by the extended family of their grandparents and a host of aunts and uncles and cousins. Life on the farm was hard – no electricity until the 1940’s, well water, and outdoor plumbing. They grew most of their own food and enough cotton to get by.

Her family was a strong, proud group who didn’t believe in asking for help. Mom learned early to work in the fields, barn and garden alongside the others. She also became an assistant cook, cleaner and housekeeper. Somewhere between the chores and school she also learned to sew quite well. She attended church at Pleasant Hill Methodist. When she turned 18 she moved to Birmingham and went to work at the phone company. Later she worked briefly at Liberty National Insurance. She was a sweet, honest and attractive young woman who worked hard and had a good sense of humor. Dad met her and was immediately smitten- he told his brother and other roommates to forget about her- that she was his girl! After a brief courtship they were married on October 20, 1956.

Mom was a good helpmate for Dad- God truly blessed him and her. She had two children and raised them with love and care and worked very hard to provide the best for us all. We did not have to work like she did (or dad). Our house was always as neat as a pin, at least until we were much older. That included the outside- Mom loved flowers, a joy she inherited from her mother. Our yard was never the fanciest, but she planted and nurtured flowers, plants, bushes and even tress. We had a few plants inside as well.

Mom watched over us and protected us, guiding us in the way we should behave and live. Mom had a very straightforward approach- there was a right way to do things and there were a lot of wrong ways. When those eyebrows went up and she pointed at you, she was going to tell you something and you had better pay attention. She could be a Mama bear at times. But she was also fair and when we caused our own problems, she didn’t fail to let us know. When I got bitten by the neighbors’ dog, she told me I should have left him and his bone alone, while we were riding to the doctor’s office.

Mom (like dad) was a devoted Christian- they were definitely equally yoked, as the Bible says. We didn’t miss many services at church. She and dad would invite folks from the church to come to our house for coffee and dessert and they would discuss the Bible and what different parts of it meant for our lives. They also visited people who were having problems- they met with people to invite them to church, or to pray with them about illness, or other issues.

Mom was the one who always helped set up the dinners at church and cooked and prepared food. She was also usually the last one to leave -while others socialized, she washed and cleaned dishes and put things away and we made sure the fellowship hall was straightened. Mom had a servants heart.

If someone was hospitalized, she visited. If they were sick at home, she cooked or went and helped them by cleaning. Sometimes it was just to visit and talk or pray with them. Or to babysit or watch children. She called to check on folks and make sure they were doing OK. She was a caregiver- in her brother Tommy’s last year of life, she and Aunt Sherley took turns caring for him and giving him a place to stay. Likewise, our grandmother came and lived with us after Uncle Tommy died. This while working full-time at Brookwood Forest school.

Mom firmly believed that “whatsoever thou doest, do it as unto the Lord”. Her cafeteria consistently received high marks. She strove for perfection. She worked hard at providing good, nourishing food for the children and staff there. Which leads me to another point- Mom loved children. She worked for many, many years at the school and in the nursery at the church. She loved the “little fellers” and little girls.

She lived a Godly, upright life of service and was a quiet witness to us and others. Mom would strike up a conversation with just about anybody she was around for more than a few minutes. She could be hardheaded and tough, but inside she was kind and caring. She was a blessing to us and a lot of other people as well.

 Survivors -1 sister Sherley Deweese, daughter Amanda N. Cook(Jack), Jackson (Sara) and Elizabeth Merchant (Michael) and Great-grandaughter Emily Jane Merchant, Jonathan Newman (Nancy) and Carley, numerous nieces and nephews and many grandieces and grand nephews and a host of friends.  Members of Faith Community Fellowship in Trussville since founding of the church.  Thanks to Pastor Steve MCCarty for the services.  Marcia N. Segers and Carl palmore for their musical talents.