Richard Wilson Newsome

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - Richard Wilson "Dick" Newsome, Sr. 85, of Aiken, SC died after a short illness on March 8, 2011 at Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville, GA. Mr. Newsome was born on May 7, 1925 in Madison, GA. He was the only surviving child of Robert M. Newsome and Nell Wilson Newsome. Mr. Newsome was raised and graduated from high school in Madison, GA. After a year of studying at North Georgia College in Dahlonega, GA, Mr. Newsome enlisted in the Army in 1943. He served in the 99th Infantry Division as an expert marksman and was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes Forest, Belgium in December 1944. He was a Purple Heart recipient. After his recovery and honorable discharge in November 1945, Mr. Newsome enrolled in the Georgia Institute of Technology and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Textile Engineering in 1949. Mr. Newsome joined the Graniteville Company in 1949 and worked there until his retirement in 1986. During this time, he held a variety of positions including manager of the Vaucluse and Warrenville mills. He retired as manager of Industrial Engineering. Mr. Newsome married Sarah Frances "Fran" McLeskey on June 16, 1951. They were married for 55 years before her passing on May 20, 2006. Together they raised three children: sons Lt Col (Ret) Richard W. Newsome Jr. of Indianapolis IN and Robert W. Newsome of Aiken, SC and daughter Sarah Newsome Bauer of Lawrenceville, GA. Mr. Newsome is also survived by grandchildren Brian W. Newsome of Kennesaw, GA, Laura A. Newsome of New York, NY, and S. Elayne Bauer of Lawrenceville, GA. Other surviving family members are daughter-in-law Linda Newsome and son-in-law Darrell Bauer. Mr. Newsome enjoyed traveling, boating , fishing, gardening and spending time with family. He was a devoted husband and father. He was a member of St Johns Methodist Church for 51 years. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 12 at 11:00 AM at St Johns United Methodist Church, Aiken SC, with the Reverend Dr. George K. Howle officiating. The family will then receive friends in Ward Hall, and the graveside service will follow in Aiken Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Jerry Johnson, Dr. Randy Shelley, Lamar Keisler, Bill Jones, Charles "Chip" Marvin, Frank Harling. Honorary pallbearers will be B.T. Barnes and Warren "Harry" Eubanks. The family has requested that memorials be made to Tri-Development Center of Aiken 1016 Vaucluse Rd., Aiken, SC 29801, St Johns United Methodist Church, 104 Newberry St., Aiken, SC 29801, the Savannah River Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 3694, Aiken, SC 29802. Mr. Newsome's online guest book may be signed at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com. The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM Friday evening at SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard Wilson Newsome, please visit our flower store.