Beatrice T. Newsome

Mable Beatrice Thompson Newsome, 89 years old, of Pikeville, North Carolina, moved onto Glory in her daughter’s home surrounded by her loving family. She peacefully left us in the early morning hours of October 21, 2020. Sis. Bea was born on June 29, 1931, in Wayne County to her parents, the late Will Addison Thompson and Channie Hill Thompson. She attended Pikeville Training School where she graduated in 1947 as the class valedictorian.  On June 4, 1949, she joined in holy matrimony to the late Bernard Newsome of Eureka, North Carolina. To their union of 61 years, ten children were born. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also predeceased by her first born, Bernadette, her siblings: Pearly Mae, Robert, John Earl, Herman “Bus”, Willie Leslie “Duck”, James, Virginia, Glennie, Gertrude, and Carrie, her maternal grandparents: Henry and Louisa Hill, and her paternal grandparents: Hildreth and Louisa Thompson.

In 1976, Sis. Bea graduated from Wayne Community College (WCC) as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). She continued her studies and received a certification as an LPN II. After completing her studies at WCC, Sis. Bea worked as a nurse  at Wayne Memorial Hospital. Following her tenure at Wayne Memorial Hospital, she worked at Wayne County Health Department until her retirement in 1995. She missed nursing and decided to work part-time at Willow Creek formerly, Britthaven of Goldsboro. After working more than 30 years as a nurse, she retired again for good in 2009. For 75 years, she was a faithful member of Elm Grove Church of Christ where sang in the Senior Choir, led the Ensemble as president, served on the Mother’s Board, led the Mission Department, organized the Food Bank Ministry, founded the Sarah Millard Scholarship Fund, and provided guidance for the Health Care Unit. She gave valuable medical advice and care to many on Booker Street and in the Pikeville area who trusted her and sought her help.

She received several awards for her missionary service. May 2014, the Goldsboro Raleigh District Assembly (GRDA) recognized her for 16 years of service as an assistant district evangelist, and April 2018, Elm Grove Church named her as the pioneer of the month. October 2018, she was honored to receive the Distinguished Missionary and Golden Age Award for her influential and dedicated service to Elm Grove Church and to the GRDA.

As a devoted mother and beloved grandmother, she filled many of her days with love, laughter, sewing, baking, homemaking, and her childrens’ various school activities. When her children were in school, she also served as a secretary with the Norwayne PTA. As a team, Beatrice and Bernard were avid supporters of education and sacrificed to see their children and grandchildren excel.

Sis. Bea is survived by seven daughters, two sons, twelve grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. Her daughters are: Brenda, Staris, Kay, Marsha, Angela, Sharon, and LaVonia; her sons: Will and Curtis; her grandchildren: Juarez, Bernadette, Chari, Shadonnia, Odettia “KiKi” (Demetrick), Stephen, Brandon, Lela, Malcolm, Jeffrey, Kayla, and Karlton; and her great grandchildren: De’Lon, Jonathan, Evan, and Christian. To cherish her memories, she also leaves one sister, Annie Eula Wilder (Johnathan), of Fort Washington, Maryland, as well as many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends. She will be missed by many for whom she served as a mother figure.

Due to COVID, funeral service and interment are being held privately. A public visitation will be held Sunday afternoon from 2pm - 5pm at Elm Grove Church of Christ. Professional services entrusted McIntyre Funeral Home of Goldsboro.

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