A proud son of Roanoke Rapids, NC, Mac Newsom brought the love and joy of close family and community with him everywhere. Mac loved his mother’s cooking, learning the details of his father’s business, the ferocious spirit of teamwork on the football and baseball fields, all celebrations, and practical jokes. It is for this mix of big-hearted leadership and trustworthiness that he was elected Social Chairman of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity at NC State and later was awarded a Bronze Star for Meritorious Service as a Second Lieutenant after a year of service in Vietnam.
Mac married his love and best friend, Lindsay Smith, in 1967. They welcomed Kate in 1974, and he enjoyed a life filled with a meaningful, 30-year second career as a Landscape Architect, world travels, and festivities (“fêtes”) of every size. When Mac wasn’t cheering for the Wolfpack, hacking away at a golf ball with friends, or reading a Dirk Pitt novel, he was ushering, participating in mission trips, leading the Seekers Sunday school class at Hayes Barton United Methodist Church, or delivering Backpack Buddy food bags to local elementary schools with Interfaith Food Shuttle.
Mac’s care and love for other people was fierce. He welcomed everyone, usually with his warm grin and a giant hug. He adored his role as tour guide and chief merry-maker on trips to Europe and Napa Valley, on SCUBA diving vacations in the Caribbean with Lindsay, and his annual trips to Brooklyn to visit Kate for “Dadfest.”
Surviving family members include Lindsay, his beloved wife of 54 years, and the apple of his eye, his daughter, Kate Newsom. He leaves his loving brother David Newsom and sister-in-law, Sylvia of Roanoke Rapids, NC, and cousin Bill Teele and wife Joan of Suffolk, VA.
A service of remembrance will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, February 21, 2022 at Hayes Barton United Methodist Church in Raleigh, NC. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. The service will be live streamed through, http://hbumc.org/live.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorial gifts to the Seekers Benevolent Fund, Hayes Barton United Methodist Church, 2209 Fairview Rd., Raleigh, NC 27608 or The Newsom Endowment for the Arts, c/o Roanoke Rapids Graded School District, 536 Hamilton St., Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870.
Services are being provided by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St. Raleigh, NC.
