Obituary

Reverend Theodore Newman

September 15, 1939 - July 14, 2025

I have fought a good fight, I have kept the faith, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.  2 Timothy 4:7-8 

Reverend Theodore Newman was born on September 15, 1939 in Bogalusa, La to the late Thaddeus Addison Newman and the late Ruby Thorton Newman. He entered eternal rest on Monday, July 14, 2025, surrounded by family.

Reverend Newman attended Central Memorial High School and graduated in the Class of 1957. He married Essie Love Newman in 1961 and until her passing in 2019, they were married for 58 years. To this union, three children were born.

After graduation from high school, he served in the United States Army and then the Army Reserve. During different eras in his life, he continued his education by graduating from Bogalusa Vo-Tech and receiving certifications in Electronics, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. He also received a Bachelor of Theology from United Theological Seminary of Monroe (Bogalusa Branch). He was a volunteer with the Bogalusa Food Bank for 30 plus years. He retired from Rhodes Insurance Company and the Louisiana Department of Corrections.

Reverend was the secretary of the Deacons of Defense. He and his twin brother, Thaddeus Newman would help train and teach people how to pass the test to obtain a voting card. 

He was Baptized at Mt. Bethel Church at a young age. He would later in life re-dedicate his life to Christ. At Mt. Bethel, he taught Sunday School and was Ordained as a deacon. His greatest joy was being called to the ministry under the leadership of the late Rev. A.J. Owens. He loved to preach and teach. He would frequently visit the sick and shut in and visit and pray with the residents at Rest Haven Nursing Home. He served as Pastor of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Uneedus, LA for six years and reunited later as an Associate Minister. He was a member of the True Friends Benevolent Society at Pleasant Valley. After the death of his wife, he returned to Mt. Bethel to be closer to home and served faithfully until his car accident that occurred in May 2025.  

Reverend Newman is survived by his son, Stanley (Terry) Newman of Webster, TX; a daughter, Angela Newman of Baton Rouge, LA; two grandchildren, Stanley Theodore Newman of Webster, TX and Chelsie Adams of Baton Rouge, LA; his twin brother, Thaddeus Newman II of Los Angeles, CA; a sister, Alma Dennis of St. Louis, MO; a devoted son-in-law, Malcolm Adams of Bogalusa, LA; brother-in-law, Sylvester Hill of Seattle, WA; a sister- in-law, Bernice Newman of Chicago, IL and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Thorton Newman; parents, Thaddeus and Ruby Newman; a daughter, Sondra Newman Adams; two sisters, Nelda Hill of Seattle, WA, and Wandra Seward of St. Louis, MO; brothers, Herbert Newman of Seattle, WA and Spurgeon Newman of Chicago, IL; a brother-in- law, John Seward of St. Louis, MO.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2025 from 11:00AM – 1:00PM followed by the funeral service at 1:00PM at Mt. Bethel Baptist Church 444 Ellott Avenue Bogalusa, LA 70427 with Pastor Calvin Jackson – Officiating. Interment will be in the Bogalusa Cemetery. 

Crain and Sons Funeral Home – Bogalusa are in charge of arrangements.