He grew up on the farm in the Puppy Creek community. He met and married his high school sweetheart, Edith McNeill Newton in 1953. They recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. A pillar of the Puppy Creek community, he dedicated his life to family, agriculture and community service. He served on numerous boards including the Farm Service Association, Progressive Savings and Loans, Alcoholic Beverage Control, and Puppy Creek Fire Department, where he served as chief and president of the Board of Directors for several years. He was a lifelong member and deacon in Galatia Presbyterian Church.
He was awarded Farmer of the Year in 1954 for his outstanding contributions to North Carolina Agriculture by Governor William B. Umstead. The Woodmen of the World presented him the Conservation award in 1973 for his dedication to conservation through agriculture. For his many years of dedicated service to his community and the fire department, he was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor James B. Hunt in 1995.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Marshall Newton and Cleva Martin Newton and sister, Mildred Newton Brisson. He is survived by his wife Edith McNeill Newton; two children, daughter Cathy Newton Watts her husband Randy Watts, and son Marshall McNeill Newton and wife Allison Poole Newton; grandchildren Amy Watts Chesson, Randall Bennett Watts, Marshall McNeill Newton Jr., and Mary Lawrence Newton; and a great-grandchild, Hayden Saunders Chesson.
Visitation will be held at noon at Galatia Presbyterian Church on Friday Aug. 24, followed by the funeral at 1 p.m.
Memorials may be made to Galatia Presbyterian Church, 8800 Galatia Church Road, Fayetteville, NC 28304.
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com