Joseph Austin “Joe” Newton, 89, retired Line Foreman for The Tennessee Valley Authority and resident of Columbia, died Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at Maury Regional Medical Center.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday, June 3, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Bob Vassar officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens with military honors provided by The Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. The family will visit with friends Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. If desired, the family suggests memorials be made to Pleasant Heights Baptist Church, 2712 Trotwood Ave, Columbia, TN 38401. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.
Born November 24, 1934, in Minor Hill, Tennessee, he was the son of the late Okla Homer Newton and the late Annie Lou Blasingim Newton. Mr. Newton enjoyed working on the farm, fishing, and hunting. He was a man of many interests who kept bees and taught himself to play banjo and guitar after retirement. He was an avid reader, especially of history books and his Bible. Mr. Newton’s greatest joy was spending time with his family. He was a member of Pleasant Heights Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Alice Faye Johnson Newton, whom he married on December 21, 1957; daughter, Anita Jo Newton; grandchildren, Jessica Paige Auville and Nicholas Keith “Cole” (Sarah Beth) Auville; great-granddaughter, Eleanor Louise Auville; and niece, Geraldine Bass Francis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Lillian Bass, and nephew, Larry Bass.
Pallbearers will be Cole Auville, Michael Parker, Tom Parker, Carl Johnson, Keith Auville, and Preston Murrey. Honorary pallbearers will include Rick Jenkins’ Men’s Sunday School Class, Dr. Belinda Bart, and Dr. John Brown.
