Funeral services for Grover Newman, 85, of Athens are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 28, 2015, at St. Matthias Episcopal Church in Athens with Father Matthew Frick officiating. Interment will follow at 4 p.m. at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Livingston, Texas.
Mr. Newman went to be with his Savior on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 in Tyler, Texas.
Grover Travis Newman was born Sept. 22, 1929 in Cleveland, Texas, the son of Jacob Newton Newman and Willie Andrews Newman. He graduated from Sam Houston State University with a degree in English. He was an ordained Methodist minister, preaching in the East Texas Circuit and Pasadena, Texas before becoming a Lay Minister with the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Houston in 1964. He worked specifically in pastoral care and neighborhood ministry, becoming a mentor for many. Grover had a unique ability to connect in a deep and profound way with the hurting and broken and spent many years working with addicts and the homeless in inner-city Houston, also pioneering a work-for-food program. One of those he served with was quoted as saying “He always looked for the gold in people, their destiny in God, and called that forth.” His life is well described by Dr. Robert Eckert in his book titled Grover Newman, which contains his life’s work, stories, and his poetry.
Grover married the love of his life Nancy Carr Newman in Houston, Texas on June 22, 1972. They began their family shortly after, and he and his family began their journey in the ministry. He loved his wife, his children and especially his grandchildren. He was deeply loved by all he touched and will be greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Carl Newman and Bill Newman.
He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years Nancy Newman of Athens; his sister Janis Marie Calhoun; three daughters, Mary Leah Lane of Nashville, Tennessee, Betty Carr Lewis and husband John Blanton of Waco, Texas, Janis Marie Newman of Athens, Texas; one son, Grover Travis Newman Jr. of Houston, Texas; nine grandchildren, Manon Lane, Megan Lane, Elisabeth Lewis, Rachel Lewis, John Lewis, Ailsa Lewis, Selah Lewis, Gillian Newman, and Grover “Trey” Newman III; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers the family would like donations made in his memory to: Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th fl., New York, N.Y. 10001; or to St. Matthias Episcopalian Church, 205 Willowbrook Circle, Athens, TX 75751, (903) 675-3210.
Visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m., Saturday, August 22, 2015, at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home of Athens.
You may light a candle or write condolences to the family at: www.hannigansmith.com.