INURNMENT at a later date.

A Life of Service, Faith, and Love

Elah Mae Newbey was born on September 8, 1947, to Ernest and Lucille Newby. She passed away peacefully on February 15, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love and quiet strength.

A proud graduate of Lunenburg High School, Elah Mae continued her education and earned an associate’s degree from Southside Virginia Community College.

A Vietnam Era United States Army veteran, Elah Mae served her country with honor and dedication. That same sense of service guided her professional life. Throughout her career, she worked at various agencies including Fort Lee, Bellwood Defense Center, and in Human Resources at Lunenburg Correctional Center and Nottoway Correctional Center.

Baptized at Jerusalem Baptist Church at an early age, Elah Mae maintained her faith throughout her life and attended various churches over the years. Guided by that faith, she devoted herself to ministry and service—conducting Bible study for the incarcerated and serving faithfully as an adult Sunday school teacher, church secretary, and church treasurer.

In her spare time, Elah Mae enjoyed running her small businesses, tending to her plants, and solving puzzles, always finding joy in nurturing and creating.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Lucille Newby, and her siblings: Perline Stephenson, Leroy Newby, Lula McCollum, Ernest Newby, Jr., Laura Wallace, Henry Newby, Harry Newby, and Mattie Newby.

Elah Mae is survived by her aunt- Lillie May Peters of Raleigh; two sisters-in-law, Julia Newby of Plainfield, New Jersey, and Joan Newby of Brockton, Massachusetts; nieces- Yolanda Wallace, Marlene Newby and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews who loved her dearly.

Deeply cherished by her family and friends and will be profoundly missed and lovingly remembered.