Mary Frances Newton

Mary Frances (Willis) Newton passed away Sunday, February 25, 2024, at the Fellowship Home in Valdosta after an extended illness. 

Mrs. Newton was born May 14, 1939, in Ashland, AL to Everett Alexander Willis and Mary Lou Willis. She had multiple degrees and teaching certificates from Jacksonville State University and Valdosta State University.  She taught for over thirty-one years in three states and retired from the Clinch County Board of Education in 1995. She was active in the Homerville United Methodist Church serving numerous times as chairman of the Mary Claire Circle and a former president of the Homerville Women’s Club. She taught Sunday School and had a correspondence ministry for at least 50 years. She enjoyed her family and sharing what she had with others.

Along with her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-eight years, Sterling Clark Newton; daughter, Mary Jennette (Jenny) Sims.

Survivors include her three sons – Lane (Mandi) Newton, Cumming, GA, Clark (Andrea) Newton, Augusta, GA and Jim (Kacy) Newton, Homerville, GA; Two daughters – Karan (Bob) Magee, Naples, FL and Kelly Hennessy (Tony Brock), Chattanooga, TN; Sister – Linda (Johnny) Rochester, Ashland, AL; Ten grandchildren – Michael Norton Jr, Dane Sims, Trey (Megan) Newton , Will (Abbey) Newton, Rob (Emily) Newton, Tess Newton, Natalie Newton, Haley Newton, Sterling A. Newton and Alex Newton; Four Great Grandchildren - Emma (Micah) Eason, Michael Norton III, Jackson Newton and Annie Newton; Beloved nieces, nephews and other relatives.

A funeral service will be held Saturday afternoon, March 2, 2024, at 3 pm at Homerville United Methodist Church with Rev. Joseph Carter officiating. Burial will follow in Pine Forest Cemetery. 

The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon beginning at 2 pm at the church. 

Sympathy may be expressed online at www.roundtreefuneralhome.net. 

Roundtree Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.