GRANDY – Eddie Cecil Newsome of Grandy, NC, formerly of St. John, NC, went to be with the Lord suddenly on Friday, April 24, 2015.  He was born January 10, 1935.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Bertha Newsome; brother, Floyd Newsome; and sister, Margaret Hock.

He is survived by his loving wife of sixty years, Geraldine Terry Newsome; brother, Luther Newsome; sister, Anita McCasky; daughters, Debbie Joyner of Ahoskie, NC, Scarlett and LT Downs of Cofield, NC, and Wanda Davis and Mike Ray of Colerain, NC; son, Jim and Judy Newsome of Grandy, NC; and daughter, Gina and Eddie West of Lexington, NC; ten grandchildren, Rick and Heather Deanes of Winterville, NC, Jennifer Newsome of Aulander, NC, Kevin and Becky Deanes of Suffolk, VA, Crystal Johnson and Steve Davis of Williamston, NC, Phillip Davis and fiancé Kathryn McKinnell of Morrisville, NC, Taylor Joyner and Josh Smith of Ahoskie, NC, Damien Jones of Ahoskie, NC, Wood Downs of Winton, NC, Sallie West of Winston-Salem, NC, Brian West of Raleigh, NC and Brandon McCollum of Virginia Beach, VA; seven great-grandchildren, Madison Deanes and Tyler Deanes of Winterville, NC, Rylee Deanes, Cameron Deanes, Brayden Deanes and Madelynn Deanes, all of Suffolk, VA, and Leah Smith of Ahoskie, NC; and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Newsome retired from Union Camp after forty years; served as a Command Sergeant Major in the North Carolina National Guard for thirty-eight years; and was a charter member of St. Johns Fire Department where he served as chief.  He was a member of St. Johns Baptist Church for thirty-eight years before retiring and moving to Grandy, NC. He then became a member of Poplar Branch Baptist Church in Grandy, NC. There he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. He volunteered at Lower Currituck Food Pantry every week.  He was an avid reader, loved to watch all sports, play golf and work in the yard at home and at church.  He really loved a good “burnt” hot dog on the grill and was fond of telling some good stories, which could be embellished a little bit.  He is greatly loved by his family and many friends and will be deeply missed.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Poplar Branch Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Tom Meyer officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  The family will receive friends following the graveside service in the church fellowship hall.

Memorial donations may be made to Poplar Branch Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 247, Grandy, NC 27939.

Twiford Funeral Home, Memorial Chapel, 405 E. Church St., Elizabeth City is assisting the Newsome family.  Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.twifordfh.com.