Roy Kenneth Newton left us on Wednesday, August 7, 2013 at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee surrounded by loving family and friends.
Roy was the son of Chester Dare Newton and Sarah Elizabeth Herald son Newton and was born in Bowling Green Kentucky. He was a member of the U.S. Army 728 Railway Battalion, serving in World War II and was a participant in the invasion and liberation of France. He was very proud of his military service and reached the rank of Technician Fifth Grade before returning to civilian life. He spent his career working for L&N Railroad on signal maintenance design and management. He loved the railroad like his father before him and upon his retirement after 42 years, began his own company upon where he continued servicing the railroads for 22 years.
Roy was happily married for 56 years to Christella Thurman Newton who preceded him in death. Together, Roy and Chris raised two sons, Jeff (Margaret) Newton and Steve (Carol) Newton. They had were loved by their grandchildren Wendy Elizabeth (Daniel) Nesmith, Andrew (Shannon) Smith Zoe (Matt) Luter, Sally Whittaker, Harriet Whittaker and Sam (Elizabeth) Whittaker; and great-grandchildren Benjamin Eli and Jonathan Owen Nesmith, Ella Grace and Lila Kate Smith, Brooke Elaine, Henry Patrick and Justine Claire Luter. Additionally, Roy is survived by his sister Eva Rountree, his brother Charles Newton, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was a long time member of Isom’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Athens, AL and was a member of Tyner United Methodist Church in Chattanooga TN.
Funeral services for Roy will be held on Sunday, August 11th at 2:00 PM CST at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home in Athens, Alabama. The family will receive visitors from 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM. Burial will be held on Monday, August 12th at 1:00 PM CST at the Fairview Cemetery, Bowling Green, KY. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Roy’s memory may be made to the following:
Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga
Chattanooga Promise Packs Fund
1270 Market Street
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Meals on Wheels
PO Box 4757
Chattanooga, TN 37405
Roy’s family would like to thank the staff and caregivers of Hickory Valley Retirement Community, Memorial Hospital and Hospice of Chattanooga for their Compassionate and loving care.
