Letha Jo Madison Newman

Letha Jo Evans Madison Newman Letha Jo Newman, 78, passed away Monday night, January 5, 2015 at Yadkinville Nursing Center. Letha Jo was born in Yadkin County on July 15, 1936 to Paris & Margaret Vestal Evans. She is survived by her husband, Windell Newman. A 1954 graduate of Jonesville High School; she earned her B.S. in Education from East Carolina University in 1958. In addition to her impressive academic record, and numerous awards she was a talented basketball player. From an early age, Jo was a woman of firsts'. As a high school student, she became the first woman to drive in races at the Jonesville Speedway and the first female lifeguard at Lake Alpine, where she also taught swimming. Her first career was in Education (East Wilkes & Starmount High), where she also coached several girls' basketball teams. She retired from Education early to pursue her passion of training and showing Quarter Horses throughout the state and nationally. She excelled and received many other firsts' in this capacity. In spite of all her accomplishments, Jo remained a humble person, always willing to help her family and friends using the many talents she possessed. Jo loved animals, horses, dogs and cats especially. She worked hard to find homes for abandoned pets and donated to causes that would relieve their suffering. Jo was a member of Shady Grove Baptist Church. A memorial service will be held there on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at 1:00 pm, with the Rev. Paul Stewart presiding. Gentry Family Funeral Service's Mountain Road location is serving the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Shady Grove Baptist Church, 3808 Center Rd., Boonville, NC 27011 or to the: Animal Adoption & Rescue Foundation, 311 Harvey St., Winston-Salem, NC. http://www.aarfanimals.org/donate.