Newell Wakeman's Obituary
A wonderful, loving Christian man, son, brother, husband, father, father-in-law, brother-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend-a gentle man-passed away on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2007, in the arms of his daughter surrounded by family reciting the 23rd Psalm. Newell D. Pops Wakeman, 90, died after a long, courageous battle with advanced prostate cancer. He died as he lived, with great dignity and a clear, active mind-his smile and great enduring love for his family will never be forgotten.
Mr. Wakeman is survived by his spouse of 67 years, Norvelle E. Wakeman; two daughters and their husbands, Jean W. and Daniel A. Jones, and Sue W. and C. Gordon Bradshaw, of Fredericksburg; five grandchildren, Robert K. Taylor Jr. of Fredericksburg, Lisa J. Garcia of Denver, Shannon T. Hagerman of Fredericksburg, Newell D. Jones of Fredericksburg and Kristen T. Motz of King George County; and two stepgrandchildren, Damon C. and Christina M. Bradshaw of Fredericksburg. Also surviving are nine great-grandchildren and a wonderful brother-in-law, John D. Stairs of Richmond.
Mr. Wakeman retired from the C & P Telephone Co. after more than 40 years service. He and his wife enjoyed operating Over the Hills Antiques for many years and were well known throughout the area for handing out good luck $2 bills. He was a longtime member of the Fredericksburg Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph W. Wakeman and Anne Pates Wakeman McWhirt; brothers Rudolph W. and Ralph A. Wakeman; an infant sister; an infant granddaughter, Betsy Mayson Taylor; his stepfather, Jesse P. McWhirt; five stepbrothers and sisters; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be a private graveside service in Old Salem Church cemetery on Wed., Aug. 8, in accordance with Mr. Wakeman's wishes. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105.
Found & Sons Funeral Chapels and Cremation Service, corner of Courthouse Road and Southpoint Parkway, is handling arrangements. Friends may sign his online guestbook at found andsons.com.
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