Luther B. Newman (no middle name - just initial), born November 4, 1915 in Rains, Texas, was the second child (first son) of James Leon Newman & Nevada Lee (Nevie) Thornhill Newman Pharr. Luther had eight brothers & sisters:

Sis - Thelma Minnie Lee Newman Hopgood Rushing (m1. Carl? Hopgood, m2. A. F. Rushing)

Sis - Daisy Mozelle Newman Castle Bost (m1. James? Castle, m2. Henry Manless [H.M.] Bost)

Bro - Jesse Leon Newman (m. Ada Ellen Corey)

Sis - Edna Lucille Newman Newman Brumett (m1. Delmer Newman, m2. Thomas William Brumett)

Bro - James Edmund Newman (m. Mildred ?)

Bro - Loyce Ray (Curly) Newman - Uncle Curly married quite a few times and I can't really remember any of their names - except "JoJo")

Bro - Arley C. Newman (nmn - just initial) (m. Carol June Johnson)

I didn't personally know Luther, as he passed away from complications of diabetes many years before I was born on October 3, 1932. He never married - he was only seventeen at his passing.

His death caused tension between many of the Newman children and their father, James Leon Newman, as it has been said that Luther was in need of seeing a doctor, prior to his death, and his father refused to take him. He died as a result of his illness and the other Newman children, alive at that time, never forgave their father for this act. How much of the story is true, I do not know - but, I do know that many of the Newman children did not attend their father's funeral when he passed away because of bitterness towards him. If I remember correctly, the only child of their family to attend James Leon Newman's funeral in 1978 was Thelma Minnie Lee Newman Hobgood Rushing - James & Nevie Newman's oldest daughter. The bitterness evidently stemmed from this act and many others that they felt could not possibly be forgiven.

It's sad.

I do know that Luther was still spoken of in hushed tones and thought of with reverence in this family, even many years later as I was a child, growing up. He was dearly missed by the family - particularly his Mother, Nevada Lee (Nevie) Thornhill Newman Pharr...

The picture on this memorial was enlarged from a picture of three of their boys - and it is the only picture I know of that exists of Luther. It hung on the wall at my grandmother's house, just above her rocking chair, for many years.

Just so sad...

Rest in Peace, Luther....you were very loved and missed!