DUNCANVILLE Sara Bell Hall Newton, age 92, of Duncanville, passed away peacefully Nov. 24, 2011. Services will be 2 p.m. today at Gilgal Baptist Church with Reverend Bart Latner and Arthur Marchant officiating. Burial will follow in Tuscaloosa Memorial Park with Memory Chapel Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing.

 

Mrs. Newton was preceded in death by her husband, George C. Newton; daughter, Bonnie Bell Newton; parents, Archie Lee and Argyle Hendrix Hall; sisters, Adelaide Love and Annie Ruth Boyd; and brothers, Pat W. Hall and John Thomas Hall.

 

Survivors include her sons and daughters, George W. Newton (Myrtis), Johnnie Hartley (Charles), Mary Williams (Vernon), and Ken Newton (Patsy); grandchildren, Suzanna H. Allaway (Arthur), Frank (Jessie) and David Hartley (Xan), Ashley Marshall, Shauna McMurry (Randy), and Danielle McDaniel; great-grandchildren Joshua, Garrett, Isabel, Chandler, and Charleston Hartley, Manon and Kate Kilgore, Danica McMurry, and Clain and Palmer McDaniel; sisters, Peggy Taylor and Betty Jo Dunn (James); brothers, Lee and Sam Hall; a host of nieces and nephews; and special family members, Aaron, Ariella, Yardena, and Eitan Wolf.

 

Sara Bell Hall Newton was born on January 7, 1919, to Archie Lee and Argyle Hendrix Hall. She was the oldest of nine children. She graduated from Tuscaloosa County High School in 1937. She married George C. Newton on December 24, 1938. She was a talented cook and used these skills during her 35-year career as lunchroom manager at Taylorville Elementary, Englewood Elementary, and Tuscaloosa County High schools. She, along with her staff, enjoyed planning and preparing meals for over 800 students daily. She enjoyed the pre-game meal for the coaching staff, football team, and other guests, and especially the football banquet at the end of the season. She shared several of her recipes with many alumni. She was honored to have prepared meals for the governor, state legislators, and local leaders. She served as president of the Alabama State Food Service Association from 1974 to 1976.

 

Mrs. Newton was a member of Gilgal Baptist Church for over 70 years. She taught Sunday School for over 50 years, was the principal of Vacation Bible School for 37 years, and a founding member of the Gilgal Cemetery Association. She also helped organize and prepare the Wednesday night meals with other ladies of the church until age 85. She was happiest when she was cooking for family, friends, and her church community.

 

Pallbearers will be Frank Hartley, David Hartley, Shane Kilgore, Randy McMurry, and Dennis and Curtis Hall.Honorary pallbearers include James Dunn, the Gilgal Baptist Church Dorcas Sunday School Class, former employees of Tuscaloosa County High School, members of Gilgal Baptist Church, the Duncanville Home Demonstration Club, and special caregivers Mary Averette and Carolyn Collins.

 

The family would like to thank Merrill Gardens Assisted Living and its staff for the care she received for the past three years, the DCH nurses on 6 North, the wonderful and caring staff at Hospice, and her doctors, John P. Summerford, Ross B. Vaughn, Larry Skelton, and George P. Miller.

Memorials may be sent to the Gilgal Cemetery Fund, C/O Gilgal Baptist Church, in honor of Sara Newton.

 

Published in Tuscaloosa News on Nov. 27, 2011