Jewel Joseph Newman

Jewel Joseph Newman passed away Saturday, October 4, 2014. He was born in Baton Rouge on March 3, 1921 to the union of the late Joseph "Papa" Newman and Florence Knox Newman. He graduated from McKinley High School in Baton Rouge in 1941. He attended Southern University, where he enlisted in the Reserve Corps program. He was called to active duty in the United States Army in 1941 and served through 1945, and was discharged with the rank of Sergeant Fourth Class. He successfully owned and operated his own business (Esso Service Station) for 15 years. In 1972, he ran for a seat on the City Council in the EBR Parish Metro Council and was elected. He was elected to a four-year term, subsequently won two more terms, and served to 1984. He was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives and served through 1988. Upon his retirement in 1988, he wanted so much to continue serving the people he loved that he remained on a number of boards of organizations and institutions that served the public welfare. He was a member of the Advisory Board for the local American Cancer Society. He helped fight the problems of alcohol and drug abuse by serving on the advisory boards for the "I Care" program of the East Baton Rouge Parish schools, for the Tau Center of Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, for the Detoxification Center of Baton Rouge, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). As a member of the Advisory Board for Catholic Community Services in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, he served on the advisory boards for Joseph Homes, the Maternity and Adoption Program, and Foster Grandparent Program. He was a member of the Diocesan Executive Board of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and served as chairperson of its Store Committee. He was an advisory board member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society for Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Baton Rouge. He also held membership on the Advisory Board of Allied Signal and the Board of Directors for the Louisiana Lottery Corporation. He was a dedicated member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church where he has been a member since 1959. He helped to build Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with many craftsmen from St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. He has served in many capacities at the church, including but not limited to the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Finance Committee. He volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul dining room for two years until he became ill. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sallie Gillespie Newman, children, Brenda Cooks, Linda Cooks Narcisse (Johnny), Edwin Cooks(Jocelyn), Urlecia Cooks, eight grandchildren, Eileen Shoals MacDougall, Angela Shoals, Stephen Narcisse (Roquell), Damien Narcisse, LaTari Square(Marcus), Bradley Narcisse(Lauren), Danielle Cooks and Joshua Abban, three great grandchildren, nephews, Melvin and Jewel Dunn, godchildren, and other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by his parents, sister, Josie Newman Dunn, two daughters, Constance Newman Douglas and Karen Newman Norris; and nephews Ray and James Dunn, Jr. He donated his body to Tulane University School of Medicine. A Memorial Mass will be held, Saturday, October 11, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Baton Rouge, Rev. Thomas Clark, S.J. officiating. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Vincent DePaul, Baton Rouge, LA.