The Republic
Columbus, Indiana
Thursday, February 21, 1929
Page 1

RUTH NEWSOM, 77, SUCCUMBS

Widow of the Rev. David T. Newsom Passes Away at Home Here.

Mrs. Ruth Newsom, 77 years old, widow of the Rev. David T. Newsom, and for more than 40 years a resident of this county, passed away yesterday afternoon about 2:30 o'clock at her apartment in The Albermarle, 733 Franklin street. Her death was due to a complication of diseases, with organic heart disease as the direct cause, and followed a four months' illness.

Funeral services for Mrs. Newsom will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Sandcreek Friends church, conducted by the Rev. Eldon Mills, pastor of the First Friends chuch at Indianapolis. Burial will be in teh adjoining cemetery. The body has been moved to the Hathaway funeral home on jFranklin street, where the casket will be open from 4 o'clock this afternoon until 8 o'clock tonight, and tomorrow until time for the funeral.

Taught In Academy.

Mrs. Newsom was born May 23, 1851, at Coloma, Parke county, the daughter of Zachariah and Harmony Cox Woodard, pioneer residents of that county. She was a graduate of the Terre Haute State Normal school of the class of 1879 and after graduating engaged in teaching, two years being spent as a member of the faculty of Bloomingdale Academy. On July 13, 1882, she was married to the Rev. Mrs. Newsom, and a short time later they came to this county, locating in the Azalia neighborhood, where the Rev. Mr. Newsom engaged in both preaching and teaching.

They continued to live there until about five years ago, when, on account of declining health, they left their home and went to Knightstown to make their home with their daughter, Mrs. Wayne W. White. Later they returned here and lived with another daughter, Mrs. Charles Talley, east of the city. About two years ago they came to Columbus and made their home at the Albemarle, where the Rev. Mr. Newsom passed away May 17, 1928.

Was One of 12 Children.

Mrs. Newsom was highly intllectual and a woman of natural refinement. She was beloved by scores of friends throughout the county. She was a lifelong member of the Friends church and was active as long as her health permitted. She was also a member of the W. C. T. U. and honorary member of the Country club, a women's social organization.

Besides the two daughters, both of whom have been at her bedside for some time, she leaves two brothers, Julian Woodard, of Long Beach, Calif., and the Rev. Francis Woodard, of Rochester, N.Y. They are the last of a family of 12 children.