Mary “Lucille” Walker Newton, age 92, of Gloucester, Va., died peacefully on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 19, 2021. She was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, Alvin Louis Newton, and her mother, Susie Sunbeam Howlett Walker, and father, Willie Bettie Walker. She is survived by her four children and their spouses, Elaine N. Hutcheson (Robert) of Virginia Beach, Va., Diane N. McIntyre (William) of Peoria, Ill., Warren L. Newton (Sabina) of Gloucester, Annette N. Tamblyn (Mark) of Charlottesville, Va.; nine grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
Lucille was a well-loved member of the local community and participated in numerous community organizations and activities. She lived her life in service for others. She was a committed Christian and a member of Bellamy United Methodist Church. She worked with the United Methodist Women and the XYZ Club, served on various committees, and sang in the Bellamy UMC Choir for many years. She also enjoyed working with the Walter Reed Garden Club, the Ware River Circle of The King’s Daughters, and the Gloucester County Volunteer Rescue Squad. She loved art, drama, and music, and was an active member of the Gloucester Chapter of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Lucille was a founding member of the Walter Reed Community League, as well as the Gloucester Moose Lodge. She loved working with children and was a volunteer with the public school system, the 4-H Club, and Girl Scouts of America.
Lucille was a respected businesswoman in the transportation and tourism industry. She was the Vice-President and Secretary of Newton’s Bus Service, Inc., working with her husband to establish and grow the business. She loved to travel and also served as Tour Director for the company. Lucille was an officer of the Virginia Passenger Bus Association and the first woman within that organization to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Lucille was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother and loved her family well. By her example, she taught her family the value of hard work, creativity, generosity, hospitality, charity, and faith. Even though she was a full-time working mom, she spent time with each of her children and nurtured their interests and talents. Her grandchildren were her special delight; taking them on trips and entertaining them with songs, arts and crafts, and cooking projects. She loved to sew; she made clothes and gifts for her children and grandchildren, quilts, and school bags for UMC Women’s mission projects. She was an exceptional cook who not only prepared wonderful meals for family and friends, but welcomed anyone who stopped by to her table. Lucille was always there for neighbors in need, bringing them food, watching their children, and saying a prayer. She had a true respect for nature and loved to grow and preserve fruits and vegetables. She was an avid gardener who won awards at local flower shows for her floral arrangements. Lucille enjoyed photography and taking pictures of birds, flowers, and “life on Sarah’s Creek.” She was a lifelong learner who took classes in business, public speaking, painting, pottery, cake decorating, photography, and gardening. Lucille loved to sing and memorize poetry. She had a song for every occasion, and music was often her way to communicate. She was a strong woman of faith. Her positive outlook on life was infectious. There was never a challenge in life she could not overcome with the help of Jesus her Savior. Even in her final years as her memory faded, her faith and her love for poetry and song remained. She was an exceptional woman.
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Lucille’s in-home caregivers, Riverside Walter Reed Hospice, and to Dr. Haggerty and staff for their exceptional care throughout the last six years.
A graveside Celebration of Life will be held at Bellamy United Methodist Church on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, at 2 p.m. COVID protocols will be observed at the service and masks will be provided. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gloucester County Fire and Rescue Squad or the Ware River Circle of The King’s Daughters.