Obituary

Gertrude Eloise Johnson Newman, affectionately known as 'Wesie' by family and friends, was born

June 17, 1922, to George Henry Johnson and Gertrude Jackson Johnson at FoxCroft in Middleburg, Va.

She attended school in Loudon County and later, as a teen, left FoxCroft to work in Georgetown in Washington D.C. where she got to meet royalty and Presidents.

She met and married the love of her life, Thomas Eugene Newman in 1949. They were devoted to each other until the day the Lord called him home on the date of their 64 ^th Anniversary. From this union, 4 children were born; however, having a heart for children, she and 'Tommy' were Mom and Dad to 17 foster children who were nurtured in their home until grown and are still connected to her today.

She lived and raised their many children in the historic Iden House on the hill in Delaplane, VA. This house was used in several of the Davenport folklore Films. Later, she moved to Front Royal, VA, where she was a loved and respected member of the community for over 40 years. She recently received a Proclamation from the Mayor and Town of Front Royal to commemorate her 100 ^th birthday.

She absolutely loved her family and her family's history; and was a meticulous record keeper of family documents. Her long life and genealogy is chronicled in several to be published books along with her 200 year old family bible with entries dating back to her enslaved family members.

She and Tommy loved collecting antiques. She also enjoyed reading and quilting. She was proud to have received her GED at the age of 50 and was even more proud to have gotten her driver's license at about the same time as her grown son. She had a God-given ministry of purchasing and giving bibles to family and friends. Her favorite scripture was Isaiah 40:31 "..they shall mount up with wings as eagles.." , which led to her vast collection of eagle statues, pictures, and artifacts.

Above all, she LOVED the Lord and was an example to all by living a life that glorified Christ. She was a Church Mother and long-standing member and first elected President of the Deaconess Board. She was quiet, meek, and humble; and her only hope and desire was that everyone would see HIM in her.

Gertrude is the last surviving member of 9 siblings. She is preceded in death by her husband Thomas, oldest daughter Bonita Edwards (Donald), and grandson Corey Hamilton (Jamie). Gertrude leaves to cherish her memory 3 son s: David Newman (Barbara), Rodney Cotton, and Timothy Hamilton; 3 daughters: Pauline Scott (Maurice), Joan Caison (Ronnie), and Tracy Hamilton; 10 grandchildren: Greg Edwards (Adrienne), Lisa Edwards, Evan Newman (Joie), Daniel Scott (Nicole), Latoya Norris, Andrea Newman, Candice Cradle (Marvin), Ryan Caison, Tatiana Hamilton, and Timothy Hamilton Jr.; 8 great grandchildren; a special friend Mary Ford of Front Royal Va., and many nieces, nephews, friends, and acquaintances whose lives she touched.