Donald Isaiah Newman

Mr. Donald Isaiah Newman, age 84, of Charlotte died on February 7, 2010 at Carolinas Medical Center. Mr. Newman, a native of Clinton, grew up on a farm in Sampson County, North Carolina, and retired as a principal in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System. He first taught at Piedmont Junior High School and Central High School. Then he served as Principal at Piedmont Junior High School, Ranson Junior High School, Olympic High School, and Tuckaseegee Elementary School.He earned his BA degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and his Masters of Education degree from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. He was a World War II Naval Veteran and served in the Pacific on Convoy duty and in the Philippine Islands. As a member of the Hickory Grove United Methodist Church, he taught adult Sunday school classes, was a member and teacher of the Epworth Class, and sang in the Chancel Choir. He was a former member of Saint Luke’s United Methodist Church on Shamrock Drive. He loved to play the piano and sing old hymns, like “Rock of Ages” and “The Old Rugged Cross.” He is survived by his wife, Sally, and by his children: Donna Newman, PhD, of Raleigh, NC, Sara Johnson of Nashville, TN, Laura Newman of Aiken, SC, Debra Callahan of Harrisburg, NC, Lisa DeLane Huneycutt of Concord, NC, Melanie Perry of Albemarle, NC, Kathy Nixon of Franklin, NC, Susan Brown of Gastonia, NC, by his brother, James Francis Newman of Clinton, NC (formerly of Norfolk, VA), his sister, Peggy Royal of Sampson County, and by his numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lucille Newman, his eldest daughter, Sylvia Gregory, his son, Neil Griffin, Jr. all of Charlotte, NC, and his brother, Oswald Max Newman, of Clinton, NC. He and his family were blessed to have had Angela Leigh to take care of him during his last few years of life.Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at Wilson Funeral and Cremation Service, 5301 Albemarle Road, Charlotte. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at Hickory Grove United Methodist Church. The Rev. Arnie Corriher will officiate. Interment will follow at Sharon Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Choir Fund at Hickory Grove United Methodist Church, 6401 Hickory Grove Road, Charlotte, NC 28215.Online condolences may be made at www.wilsonfuneralservices.com