Newell, Herbert M., Jr., age 75, of Fayette, Alabama, died October 9, 2000,
at a Medical Center in Tuscaloosa. Services will be at Fayette First Baptist
Church on Thursday, October 12, at 11 a.m., with Dr. Glen Weekly and Rev. Jim
Ham officiating. Burial will follow in the Fayette City Cemetery. The body
will lie in state at the church from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Survivors include his
wife, Jeanie (Patterson) Newell; a son, Herbert M. Newell, III and
daughter-in-"love", Susan Goins Newell of Tuscaloosa; a grandson, Herbert M.
Newell, IV of Tuscaloosa, who attends Samford University in Birmingham; three
sisters, Wanda Gernhofer of Hedgeville, West Virginia, Edith Woodson of
Knoxville, Tennessee, and Nita (Mrs. Roy) Hayes of Bradenton, Florida; a
step-sister, Jo (Woodson) Faulk; a step-brother, Bill Woodson, of Alexander
City; and several nieces and nephews. Born June 20, 1925 in Evergreen,
Conecuh County, Alabama, to Herbert M. Newell, Sr. and Mabel Fallin Newell,
he received his education in Clanton, Alabama. In December 1942 at the age of
17 he joined the U. S. Navy during World War II to serve in the South Pacific
until June 1946, continuing to serve in the Naval Reserve for several years
thereafter. After being honorably discharged he graduated from the Birmingham
Business College with a major in accounting. On May 28, 1949, he married his
first and only love, Jeanie Patterson of Fayette. He joined the Fayette First
Baptist Church in October 1949, later to be ordained deacon on September 10,
1952. His last term as deacon ended just before his death in September 2000.
He also served the church and Christ in many other capacities. He was a
member of the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission for many years, serving
as president for one two-year term. At the time of his death he was serving
as the vice president for District IX of the Alabama Baptist Historical
Society. He worked at Golden Eagle Syrup Manufacturing Co., Inc., serving as
the secretary and treasurer until July 1986. For a long period he worked part
time for the Fayette Gas and Water Boards as bookkeeper and various other
business. He was responsible for renumbering city streets and establishing
911 emergency addresses for the City of Fayette. In 1972, he was elected as a
councilman of the City of Fayette, an office which he held until he retired
from service in 1992. He served as a member of the West Alabama Planning and
Development Council until 1996, serving as chairman for one term. In 1984 he
received the David Cochran Award from the council in recognition of his many
years of service to Fayette County and West Alabama. He was active in many
state and regional genealogical societies. He co-authored eight books with
his wife, including the large volume "History of Fayette County, Alabama". He
was a husband, father, grandfather, public servant and great friend, but
first and foremost he was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. He leaves a
remarkable legacy for his family--but all he would want to be known about his
life is that "Jesus is Lord." Pallbearers are Stewart Greene, Jimmy Trice,
Mike Freeman, Barry Eads, Ed Bartholomew, and Johnny Fulmer. Honorary
pallbearers are the Deacons of Fayette First Baptist Church, and the police
and fire departments of the City of Fayette. Nelson Funeral Home directing.