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Ronnie G. Newsome transitioned from this life on Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, at his residence. He was born Dec. 21, 1954, to the late Willie Newsome and Thelma Newsome Glover. Ronnie was a 1973 graduate of John Yeates High School. He was a former employee at Gwaltney of Smithfield.

Ronnie was preceded in death by a brother, Bernest Newsome Sr.; beloved nephew, Bernest Newsome Jr.; maternal grandparents, James F. and Vernice Turner and paternal grandmother, Pearl Lassister. 

Ronnie attended Little Bethel Baptist Church joining at a young age and through most of his adult years, and God led him to travel the area as a missionary visiting with various churches as a member of the Nansemond and Isle of Wight Sunday School Union for many years. Ronnie was a former trustee and president of the senior usher board of Little Bethel and served as a youth ministry leader, Sunday school and vacation bible school teacher, former coach for the Oakland Mustangs football team, John Yeates and Nansemond River High School band booster and Greater Oakland/Chuckatuck Civic League and served a delegate for the National BTU Congress of Virginia for the Suffolk region.

Ronnie loved to landscape and beautify Chuckatuck and surrounding communities. He could be seen daily driving his green pickup truck with his straw hat, towel and a smile. He loved to help anyone in need, especially the elderly and the youth of the community. He was a father figure and mentor to numerous children in the Suffolk area.

He leaves to cherish his memory his mother Thelma l. Glover of Suffolk; daughters Latonya Braxton (OJ) and Tenneal Smith (Larri) both of Suffolk; his brother Destry A. Newsome Sr. (Julie) of Suffolk; his grandchildren, Chanae Scott of Raleigh, N.C., Kiana Hall, Chyna Brown, Teniya Jordan, Tyler Jordan and Bryson Smith all of Suffolk; his beloved great-grandchildren “k3” Kobe, Khloe and Kasey Sheperd and Gianna Copeland of Suffolk; beloved nephews, Destry A. Newsome Jr, (Shnita) of Wakefield and Brandon Newsome (Laquisha) of Suffolk;  sister in law, Linda Newsome of Suffolk; his best friend of over 60 years, Zaccheous Wilson of Suffolk; Goddaughter Faye (Kisha) Wilson of Suffolk and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends

A celebration of life service will be private. Public viewing will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 28, at Shivers Funeral Chapel. For more information, please visit shiversfuneralchapel.com.