Lanzy Newman, son of the late Elmer and Naomi Newman was born in Angelus, South Carolina (Chesterfield County) on March 5, 1935 and entered eternal rest on Thursday, September 3, 2020 at the age of 85. Lanzy, affectionately known as “Lamb” to family members and friends, moved to New Jersey as a teenager and attended Long Branch High School where he graduated. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1954 and served his country until 1957. After his military service, he returned to Long Branch and worked as a truck driver for a lumber company in Red Bank. In 1965, Lanzy began his career at the Asbury Park Press, in Asbury Park, NJ, driving a press delivery truck until he was promoted to Assistant Circulation Foreman, overseeing daily press runs and mailroom operations. He was an advocate for diversity and African American representation at the newspaper and was instrumental in helping several family members and friends secure employment there during his tenure. He retired from the Press after 28 years and went on to drive limousines for Arrow Limousine Worldwide until 1999 when he made the ultimate sacrifice and moved to Atlanta, GA to help raise his grandchildren Ivy and Wade Wilder, Jr. after the death of their mother. Before moving to Atlanta, Lanzy was a longtime member of Trinity A.M.E Church in Long Branch, NJ where he served on the Trustee Board and the Male Chorus. When he moved to Georgia, Lanzy and his wife, Etta attended Lakeside Trinity Church in Stockbridge.
Lanzy was the patriarch of the Newman family after his siblings died and cherished the time he spent with relatives. He loved a good party and hosted the annual Newman Family Labor Day cookout with pride. His family and close friends would come to his home on Ludlow Street in Long Branch to eat his cousin’s barbecue ribs and sister’s peach cobbler. An avid Dallas Cowboys fan, he enjoyed hosting Super Bowl parties complete with homemade pizzas for guests to enjoy while watching the big game. Lanzy enjoyed listening to the Blues, Jazz and R&B music and artists like The Spinners, O’Jays and Gladys Knight and the Pips. Lanzy was predeceased in death by his parents Elmer and Naomi Newman, brothers: John (A.D.) Newman, Grayland Newman, Donald Newman, Vance Newman, Caldwell Newman, James Newman, and his sisters: Lillie Mae Newman, Francis Crudup, Gladys Jowers and Georgia McCaskill. He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife of 55 years Etta Pearl Newman, children, Tina Newman, Adrienne Newman, Gregory Newman, Wade Wilder Sr., Wanda (Darryl) Newman-Johnson, Patricia (Tony) Newman Neal, and Laraine (Jimmie) Lyons and grandchildren Kimberly Newman, Lakeisha Mabry, Charles Mabry, Jr., Jermaine Dangler, Giovanna Newman, Lance Newman, Keisha Newman, Kimmy Newman, Donta Newman, April Veronica Freeman, Ivy Wilder, Wade Wilder Jr. and a host of great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, relatives, extended family and friends.
The Celebration of Life Service for Mr. Newman will be Saturday, September 12, 2020 @1:00 PM; Willie A. Watkins Riverdale Chapel, 6580 Church St. Riverdale, GA 30274.
A viewing will be held Friday, September 11, 2020 from 4-6PM at Willie A. Watkins Riverdale Chapel.
Interment: GA National Cemetery
A Memorial Services will be held in Long Branch, NJ on 3/5/2021. Location TBD. “The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid, Psalm 27.
Due to the spread of COVID-19, we are requesting that everyone wear a mask.
Services entrusted by Willie A. Watkins Riverdale Chapel, 770-909-8800.