Grover
Travis Newman was born September 22, 1929 in Cleveland, TX, the
son of Jacob Newton Newman and Willie Andrews Newman. He
graduated from Sam Houston State U. with a degree in English. He
was an ordained Methodist minister, preaching in the East Texas
Circuit and Pasadena, Texas before becoming a Lay Minister with
the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Houston in 1964. He
worked specifically in pastoral care and neighborhood ministry,
becoming a mentor for many. Grover had a unique ability to
connect in a deep and profound way with the hurting and broken
and spent many years working with addicts and the homeless in
inner-city Houston, also pioneering a work-for-food program. One
of those he served with was quoted as saying “He always looked
for the gold in people, their destiny in God, and called that
forth.” His life is well described by Dr. Robert Eckert in his
book titled Grover Newman, which contains his life’s work,
stories, and his poetry.
Grover married the love of his life Nancy Carr Newman in
Houston, Texas on June 22, 1972. They began their family shortly
after, and he and his family began their journey in the
ministry. He loved his wife, his children and especially his
grandchildren. He was deeply loved by all he touched and will be
greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Carl
Newman and Bill Newman. He is survived by his loving wife of 43
years Nancy Newman of Athens; his sister Janis Marie Calhoun;
three daughters, Mary Leah Lane of Nashville, Tennessee, Betty
Carr Lewis and husband John Blanton of Waco, Texas, Janis Marie
Newman of Athens, Texas; one son, Grover Travis Newman Jr. of
Houston, Texas; nine grandchildren, Manon Lane, Megan Lane,
Elisabeth Lewis, Rachel Lewis, John Lewis, Ailsa Lewis, Selah
Lewis, Gillian Newman, and Grover “Trey” Newman III; and many
nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers the family would like donations made in his
memory to:
Visitation will
be held from 2-4 P.M., Saturday, August 22, 2015, at the
Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens, TX. Arrangements were
entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home of Athens. You may
light a candle or write condolences to the family at:
www.hannigansmith.com |