Funeral services for Ray Newsom were held on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Bowers Funeral Home in Teague. Bro. Robert Mc-Dougal will officiate. Interment will follow the services at Birdston Cemetery near Streetman.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, prior to the services, beginning at 10 a.m.
Don Ray Newsom was born in Donie on April 29, 1930. He graduated from Wortham High School with the class of 1949, and entered into the U.S. Air Force where he served for four years, including more than a year stationed overseas and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal before his honorable discharge in 1954.
He married Lois Steele on June 23, 1951, and shared more than 59 years of marriage together before being separated by her death on Feb. 27, 2011. Mr. Newsom owned and operated a food service contracting business for the military for 25 years before working as a truck driver for J. B. Hunt for several years prior to his retirement.
Ray returned to the workforce for the final time working for Freestone County. He enjoyed seeing and visiting with people on his county job and worked until the age of 92.
Ray married Parthena on Feb. 10, 2018, and shared a brief but wonderful marriage together. Mr. Newsom enjoyed watching horse racing and listening to classic country music.
He was a member of First Baptist Church in Donie.
He is survived by his wife, Parthena Newsom of Buffalo; two daughters, Nina Manor of Streetman and Jan Baker and husband David of Roanoke; five grandchildren, Roger Grube, Dan Grube and wife Heather, Brooklyn Baker Ross and husband Blake, Bryson Baker, and Lauren Baker; two great-grandchildren, John Henry Grube and Starla Grube; one step-son, Herbert Roach and wife Theresa and their children, Mandy Roach and Herbert Allen Roach, Jr.; one brother-in-law, Billy Steele; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Mr. Newsom was preceded in death by his parents, Luther and Emma Newsom; his wife, Lois Newsom, one brother, Ralph Newsom; one sister, Mary Frances Franklin; and one son-in-law, Elbert Manor.
Please visit our website at www.bowersfuneralhome. net to sign the online guestbook or leave a message for the family.
