Francisco Newman, Jr.

Francisco Beale Guido Alwyn Newman, Jr., 91, entered his eternal rest with the Lord on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at his daughter's residence in Oxford, NC. 

He was born on April 24, 1932, at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia. He is the son of the late Francisco Beale Guido Alwyn Newman Sr. and Lucille Willis Miller Newman. 

In December 1953, he married Thelma Lorraine Moats of West Virginia. They divorced in March 1981. 

Know as "Junior" and "Frank" to his friends, he joined Mount Zion Baptist Church in Staunton at an early age. He attended the all-black public school in Staunton, Virginia and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. In 1953, Francisco received his Bachelor of Science degree in Education from West Virginia State (College) University (WVSU). While at State, Francisco played on the basketball team for the 1949-50 season, joined the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, member of the Mathematics Society, member of the Scabbard and Blade and performed his duties as Cadet Major Operations Officer (S-3). 

After receiving his degree, Francisco enlisted in the United State Army. He defended his country on many fronts. He is a Korea-Vietnam Veteran. In June 1974, he retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (LTC). After twenty-one years of regular military service, he studied at the Army Logistics Management Center and Florida Institute of Technology. Which he earned a master’s degree. 

In July 1947, LTC Newman began teaching at John Marshall High School in Richmond as the Senior Army Instructor (JROTC). In August 1980, he transferred to Franklin Military High School in Richmond and served as Math Department Team Leader. LTC Newman taught for nineteen years. 

Francisco participated and was a recipient in the following community activities: WVSU ROTC Hall of Fame Inductee (October 9, 1998); the Pauline Gray Humanitarian Award (April 21, 2006), given by the Virginia Association of Ministers’ Wives and Minister’s Widows; Distinguished Service Award by the Shenandoah Valley Phi Delta Kappa Chapter; attended Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Staunton; and WVSU's Alumni of the Year.  He was acknowledged for his work at Great Hope Baptist Church in Richmond, where he was a supporter of the group’s mission and ministries, as well as a member of the Church Trustee Board. 

He is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated; a life member is the NAACP; Richmond Urban League; Richmond Crusade for Voters; Astoria Beneficiary Club; Prince Hall Free Masonry Lodge # 18; Richmond Education Association; Virginia Education Association; National Education Association; Military Order of the World Wars; the Richmond/Central Virginia Chapter and Raleigh/Durham WVSU Alumni Associations; and the Fulton Civic Association.

In additions to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers, George William Thomas Stuart Newman, Sr. and Augustus Calvin Bernard Donald Newman, Sr. and his sister, Bernice Lucille Elizabeth Newman Dandridge.

From his union with Thelma Lorraine Moats, they had two children, Francisco Beale Guido Alwyn Newman, III of Roanoke, and Cleriece Chinchilanita Willis Newman Pressley and her husband, Marshall Lee Pressley of Oxford, NC. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Marcus Lee Pressley and Camryn Delaney Pressley, his sisters-in-law, Thelma A. Newman of Staunton and Francis G. Newman of Garner, NC; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

The family would like to especially thank George Walker and Thelma A. Newman.

A celebration of his life will be held at 12:00 PM on Friday, March 1, 2024, at Henry Funeral Home in Staunton with the Reverend Michael Turner officiating where Masonic rites will be rendered. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, beginning at 11:00 AM. Interment with full military honors and Masonic rites will follow the service at Oak Lawn Mausoleum and Memory Gardens in Staunton.

Repast will follow the interment and will be held at Mount Zion Baptist Church (603 North Augusta Street) in Staunton.