Alva Jo Newsom

ALVA JO NEWSOM, 55, of Valdosta, passed away Saturday, September 26, 2009 at Langdale Hospice House. She was born September 19, 1954 in Valdosta, a daughter of the late John A. and Vidella Hancock Newsom.

L.A.R.C. was a very important part of Alva Jo's life and she loved being with her peers. She loved Elvis, jewelry, traveling and doing her "homework". She was a member of the Lake Park United Methodist Church.

"Alva Jo was a ray of sunshine in everyone's life that made the day brighter and more beautiful. She always greeted people with a fierce hug and a huge smile on her face. Anyone in Jo's presence felt as though they were loved for the minutes she was hugging them.

Your hurts were Alva Jo's hurts and she felt every emotion a person was going through. Wizard of Oz items were especially precious to her. They made her face light up with her special smile.

Jo had a tremendous compassion for life and for everyone around her. She led life one day at a time encouraging us to do the same. People coming into contact with Jo loved her from that moment on and always cared about what was going on in her life.

Jo will be sorely missed among all that came to know and love her over the years."

Alva Jo is survived by one sister and brother-in-law, Catherine and Donny Southall of Valdosta; three nephews, Shawn Hiers of Jacksonville, FL, Donny Southall and wife Priscilla of Bainbridge, and Chris Southall and wife Daphne of Valdosta; one niece, Shannon Thomas and husband Jason of Athens; a special friend, Jan Castleberry of Valdosta; and many friends at L.A.R.C.

Funeral Services for Alva Jo will be held at 2:00 pm Tuesday, September 29, 2009, at the McLane Lakewood Funeral Home, Lake Park, with Rev. Madelien Pope officiating. Interment will follow in Newsom Cemetery. Her family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Please consider contributions in Alva Jo's memory to Hospice of South Georgia, P.O. Box 1727, Valdosta, GA 31603. Condolences may be expressed to Alva Jo's family at www.mclanefuneralservices.com. McLane Lakewood Funeral Home.


Funeral Home:
McLane Lakewood Funeral Home
3119 West Marion Avenue
Lake Park, GA
US 31636