Cecil Graham Newton, 83, of Autumn Care of Statesville, formerly of Mooresville, put down his tools and went Home Saturday, March 20, 2010, after two years of declining health. Born in Mooresville on July 17, 1926, Mr. Newton was the eldest son of the late Hoyle and Stella Sherrill Newton. He attended Mooresville City schools and was a U.S. Army combat infantryman in the First Cavalry Division in World War II. Mr. Newton took part in the battle for Okinawa and was part of the Army of Occupation of Japan after the war. He married his childhood sweetheart, Betty M. Christenbury, also of Mooresville, on July 21, 1947. Mrs. Newton passed away in September of 2009. Mr. Newton was retired with 39 years of service from Burlington Industries, formerly Mooresville Mills, where he was a manager of computer operations. Mr. Newton was a life-long member of Broad Street United Methodist Church in Mooresville, and was active in the church until his health declined. He held many offices in the church and was honored as Lay Person of the Year. Mr. Newton is survived by two daughters, Judy Newton Stonestreet (O.C. III) of Statesville, and Nina Newton Wall (Joey), of Mooresville; grandchildren, Ashley McKnight of Atlanta, Ga. and Chris Stonestreet (Gina), of Concord; and great-grandsons, Blake and Ryan Stonestreet. Mr. Newton is also survived by sisters, Lorene N. Rash, Ruby N. Isehower and Connie N. Lipe; and by brothers, Richard (Betty Jo) Newton, Bobby (Vivian) Newton, Herman (Barbara) Newton and Vernon (Joan) Newton. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Newton was an expert carpenter who tried to follow in the footsteps of another Carpenter. He was a strong family man and was often consulted for his wise advice. A Celebration of the Life Service was held at 4 p.m. Monday at the church with the Revs. Amy Freeze, Buddy Compton, Robert Howard and John Milholland officiating. Burial, with full military honors, was held in Glenwood Memorial Cemetery, Mooresville, following the funeral service. The family requests that memorials be made to Broad Street United Methodist Church, 355 South Broad St., Mooresville, NC 28115; or to Hospice of Iredell County; or to the Mooresville Christian Mission. Cavin-Cook Funeral Home served the family of Cecil Newton. The family would like to extend its appreciation to the staff of Autumn Care, Statesville, for its dedicated care of Cecil Newton for the past two years, and also to Hospice of Iredell County.
Published in Mooresville Tribune on March 24, 2010