Obituary of Wanda Mae Newsome

Wanda Mae Newsome, 90, of Gruetli-Laager, TN, entered glory on June 12th , 2023.

The youngest of eight children, Wanda was born on February 22nd , 1933 to Jesse and Ethel Claiborne of

LaFollette, TN. From a young age, Wanda was known for her candid honesty, a trait which was both

admirable but often to the ire of those around her. One educator tested Wanda’s resolve following a

frank classroom discussion about the reality of Santa Claus. While she dutifully completed one hundred

write-offs at the chalkboard stating, “Santa Claus is real,” Wanda was not dissuaded and emphatically.

informed her teacher afterwards, “Santa Claus is not real.”

 

This candor helped Wanda later secure the love of her life, Albert “Pap” Newsome. Pioneers of the

original dating app, Wanda and Pap initially met through their exchanges in the personal ads. After

months of exchanging written correspondence, the couple arranged an in-person meeting, and the rest

was history. They were married in December 27 th , 1957 in a small courthouse ceremony in Erie,

Pennsylvania. After the ceremony, the couple enjoyed a matinee screening of “The Man with the Golden

Arm” at their local theater before returning home so that Pap could prepare for his evening shift. God

blessed their marriage with two wonderful daughters, Vicki and Melissa. Wanda and Pap shared almost.

thirty-three wonderful years of marriage together before Pap preceded Wanda in death on December.

3rd. , 1990.

 

Wanda was also known for her work ethic. From picking the tobacco grown on her family farm, to

becoming a licensed cosmetologist, Wanda liked to keep herself busy. She had a lifelong desire to

become a nurse. As an adult, Wanda was able to attend nursing classes at McMinnville Vocational

School and served many years provided nursing services at Cumberland Heights Hospital. Up until 2019,

Wanda volunteered her skills as a seamstress by sewing busy quilts and hospital gowns for Amedysis

Hospice. In her “free” time, Wanda was an avid gardener and canner, well known for her delectable dill

pickles. She often recruited her family in the summer to assist in the shucking of corn or breaking of

beans. Wanda sewed countless quilts, dresses, and shirts for her family over the years, and had a talent

for embroidery.

 

Wanda was born into God’s family on April 14th , 1948. She was a well-studied theologian, known for her strong faith

and as a prayer warrior. Wanda taught Sunday school, vacation bible school, and hosting

home study groups over the course of her life. As many of her pastors learned, if they erred in scripture,

Wanda would kindly, but candidly offer correction. Wanda said that her passing is saying “good-bye (for

a while) to all her family, friends, and loved ones, whom she invites all to them to join her on the other

side, where she will be waiting with Christ to welcome them home. The word departure literally means

to pull up anchor and set sail. Death marks the beginning, not the end. It is my journey to God.” 2

Corinthians 5:6-8 states, “Therefore, we are always confident knowing that, while we are at home in the

body, we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and

willing rather to be absent from the body and present with the Lord.” Wanda leaves her family with a

strong legacy of faith.

 

Wanda is preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Ethel Claiborne, her five brothers James, Charles,

Conley, Odis, and Junior Claiborne, her two sisters Margie Pierce and Jean Ayers, and her husband, Pap

Newsome. Wanda is survived by her daughters Vicki (Dion) Dykes and Melissa (Joe) Stocker, her six

grandchildren Kristen (Michael) Kilgore, John Ross (Lindsay) Jones, Zack (Shasta) Jones, Haley (Ben)

Stocker, Hunter Stocker, and Callin Stocker, and her five great-grandchildren Chloe and Christian Jones,

Asher Faith Kilgore, Journey and John Archer Jones.

 

The family would like to extend its utmost gratitude to Jamie Roberts and all the wonderful staff at

Sheltering Arms, as well as Gentiva Hospice, for the quality care provided to Wanda in her twilight.

 

Funeral services will be held 1:00 PM Thursday in the funeral home chapel with Minister John Ross Jones

officiating with burial to follow in the Coalmont Cemetery.

 

Visitation: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Wednesday at Layne Funeral Home, Palmer, Tennessee

In lieu of flowers the family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to one of Wanda's favorite charities in her memory. Love a Child or Samaritan's Purse.