Deacon Kenneth Newman Sr.

The Lord God, through heavenly communication, called Deacon Kenneth Jewel Newman, Sr., to reunite with Him on August 30, 2020. Deacon Kenneth Jewel Newman, Sr., the youngest of five, was born in Vallejo, California, on November 7, 1944 to the late Mr. and Mrs. Lenner Newman (Mary Lee Wade Newman). Deacon Newman confessed our Lord, Jesus Christ, as his personal Savior and was baptized at a very early age. He dedicated his life to rearing his children, helping others and praying without ceasing fervently every day. Newman united with Zion Traveler Baptist Church in Monroe, Louisiana under the leadership of Reverend Christopher Van Rogers for many years. He attended faithfully and served at the pleasure of the Pastor and the congregation. Newman graduated from Carroll High School in the Class of 1962. It was at that moment that he decided to be one who could make a difference his community. He graduated from Grambling State University with a degree in accounting. That degree earned him a career opportunity at Grambling State University as Business Manager where he worked to assist students entering and exiting college. At age 36, Newman joined the City of Monroe’s new form of government on October 1, 1979, under the leadership of the late Mayor Bob Powell, where he was named City Programs Auditor for the Department of Planning and Urban Development. At that time, his position was one of the highest ever held by a Black in the City of Monroe. Newman stated, “This is a job that I should have had when I first came to Monroe, and after eighteen months of this whole thing, you will find I am a doer, not a talker.” Prior to having come to Monroe, Newman had worked at Mary Holmes College in West Point, Mississippi, as the Business Manager. Newman was known as a man of many talents. “A doer and not a talker” became his trademark. He managed to secure through grant funding millions of dollars that directly impacted the community where the Boys Clubs were born. He was a board member of the Tri-District Boys Club for several years and he worked independently in his spare time to assist youth who did not have a father figure. He was DAD. Newman loved the community, and his leadership and expertise will be sorely missed. Newman loved to meet with the guys for community table talk. The latest and greatest information, and ideas were discussed, and Newman would spring into action. Accomplishments included but were not limited to: Director of Planning and Urban Development, City of Monroe, Louisiana; Business Manager, Grambling State University, Grambling, Louisiana; Business Manager, Mary Holmes Community College, West Point, Mississippi; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated; Who’s Who Among African Americans; Prince Hall Mason, Blue Lodge; Grants Writer and Loan Officer, North Delta Regional Planning and Development; Annual Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday; Deacon of Zion Traveler Baptist Church; Wade Johnson and Moy Treasurer and Financial Secretary for 23 years. Deacon was preceded in death by: Father, Lenner Newman, Sr.; Mother, Mary Lee Wade Newman; Sister, Wille Mae Fairfax, the eldest sibling of the Newman Clan. He leaves to cherish his memory: Spouse, Linda J. Newman, sons, Kenneth J. Newman, Jr. (Celina), Ruston, Louisiana and Erik J. Newman (Taneisha), Fort Worth, Texas; Matrimonial Son, Saunchae Y. Jones, Atlanta, Georgia; Brothers, Lenner Newman, Jr. (Linda), Monroe, Louisiana and Huey Newman (Geraldine), Monroe, Louisiana; sister, Dorothy Newman Williams (Robert), Zachary, Louisiana; Grandchildren, Jeramy White, Sr. (Inyada), Kennedale, Texas; Kenneth J. Newman III, Fort Gordon, Georgia, Lauryn Newman, Bastrop, Louisiana, Nigel White, Jeramy White, Jr., Jared White, and Journey White. He also leaves to cherish his memory to a host of other relatives and friends.  

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