Jimmy C. "Jimmy C. Newman" Newman

Jimmy C. Newman, age 86 of the Big Springs Community passed away Saturday night in Nashville after a brief illness. He was a native of Mamou, Louisiana and the son of the late Marcena and Rose McGee Newman. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Walter Newman.

Jimmy C. is survived by his wife of 66 years Mae Daire Newman; son Gary Newman and his wife Sharon of Broussard, LA; granddaughter Natalie Newman Valdes and husband John of Pompano Beach, FL; step-grandchildren Neil Simon of Houston, TX, and Jacy LeBlanc and her husband Mike of Lafayette, LA; step-great grandchildren Michael and Emmy LeBlanc.

A public memorial service will be held at 10:00am, Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at the Ryman Auditorium with a eulogy given by Tom Perryman.

Jimmy C. was born in Mamou, Louisiana in 1927, and in his youth with his brother Walter, helped support his mother and father on their family farm. His lifelong dream was realized when in 1956 he was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry. He gave his last Opry performance on Friday, June 6, 2014 with his band, Cajun Country. In addition to his fifty-eight year membership in the Opry, his many career honors included induction into the Cajun Hall of Fame, the Cajun Music Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and the North American Country Music Association's International Hall of Fame. He was also a Grammy Nominated musician and a member of the American Federation of Musicians #257.

In his later years, he enjoyed spending time with his wife Mae on his ranch in the Big Spring Community.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Grand Ole Opry Trust Fund, 2804 Opryland Drive, Nashville, Tennessee 37214.

Arrangements are under the direction of Woodfin Memorial Chapel and an online guestbook is available at www.woodfinchapel.com