Velt was born in his family home September 6, 1934 on Newsome Ridge in the beautiful mountains of Naugatuck, West Virginia to the late Frank and Pearl (Brewer) Newsome. A 1952 graduate of Lenore High School, he continued on to attend Charleston University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He proudly served in the United States Army achieving the rank of Specialist. His greatest accomplishment, he often would say, was marrying Suzanne Lee (Smith) Newsome in 1956 in Williamson, WV.
Velt’s parents insisted that education for their children would provide more opportunities than they ever had, and he attributed this value as a crossroads in his life. He combined who he was from his humble beginnings, where he explored the mountains as a child and learned the ethics of hard work, with his education and blazed his own trail. He successfully helped grow Newsome Lumber Company, taught school in Williamson, WV and achieved great success in the RV and manufactured home industry as general manager of manufacturing plants.
Velt’s adventurous spirit and career ladder relocated the family many times across the United States until they landed in Thomasville, GA, where they lived for over 30 years. The call back to the mountains always remained, however, which led him to retire in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in North Georgia, close to his family in Atlanta. He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church. He loved sports, animals, nature and music. His biggest pride and joy was the family he and Suzanne built together. Family gatherings were always prayed over by Velt proclaiming, “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!”
Velt is survived by Suzanne, his wife of 68 years, his sons, James Newsome (Elizabeth), V. Wesley Newsome (Susan) and daughter, Dee Anna Hoover (Tom); eight grandchildren: John Newsome, Caleb Newsome (Tracy), Jane Lester (Cody), Kathryn Newsome, Austin Hoover, Thomas Hoover (Annie), Megan Newsome and Abby Breuker; five great grandchildren: Finnegan, James, Sully, Jack, and Bridget Lester, all of Atlanta Georgia. Also surviving is his sister, Sue Deskins (Jim) of Naugatuck and nieces Terry Compton (Larry) of Louisa, Kentucky and Tara Ellis (Wes) of Naugatuck.
Along with his parents, he was predeceased by his beloved daughter, Sheri Lee Newsome, and his sister, Ola Mae (Newsome) Noel.
A private memorial service will be held on Saturday February 1, where Velt will be interred at Arlington Memorial Park, Sandy Springs, GA.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to the Goizueta Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at Emory University (404-712-GIVE or alzheimers.emory.edu) or Northside United Methodist Church- Music Department (northsideumc.org)
