Inez Platt Newberry

On October 21, 1922 in Marlboro County, S.C. a second child was born to Carlie Platt and Frances McEachern Platt. They named her Inez. She joined her older brother, Carlie, Jr. in their family. The Platts moved to Latta, S.C. where three more children were born, Ernest, Russell, and Doris. The family lived in Latta the length of days of Mr. & Mrs. Carlie Platt, Sr. All of the children were educated in the public school at Latta. The family’s spiritual home was St. John Missionary Baptist Church, into which Inez was baptized and held membership until adulthood. Following her graduation from Dillion County Training School in 1939, Inez continued her education at Vorheeves Junior College in Denmark, S.C. in 1941 and the Pratt Institute of Design in New York City in 1945. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Morris Brown College, in Atlanta, Ga. in 1957. On December 18, 1944, Inez was joined in Christian Marriage to Rev. Earl Edward Newberry at the home of her parents in Latta, S.C. They began their life together in Decatur, Ga., where Rev. Newberry was the organizing pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church. They were blessed with the birth of three children, Edward Bernard, Brenda Yvonne, and Beucenia Drucella. While in the state of Georgia, Inez taught elementary school in Stone Mountain, Ga. In 1958 Rev. Earl Newberry was called to be pastor of the South Tryon Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, N.C., where the family moved and has spent most of its life. Inez was hired by Mr. O.N. Freeman, principal of the newly established Lincoln Heights Elementary. She was on the first faculty of that school, where she nurtured the lives of many children. First, second, and third were the grades she effectively and lovingly taught all of her career, which included years at Villa Heights Elementary and Winterfield Elementary. She retired from the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System in 1984. One of the singular features of her life was that of “a minister’s wife” in the best sense of that title. Inez accompanied Rev. E.E. Newberry in five pastorates of Presbyterian Churches: Trinity, South Tryon (now South End) and Brandon (now C.N. Jenkins), Fairview in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Mt. Tabor in Cleveland, N.C. In all of these congregations, Inez was always active and beloved by the members. After her husband’s death, she was received into the membership of Memorial Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday School. Inez was active in and served as Moderator of Memorial’s Presbyterian Women, which honored her with a Life Membership. Her involvements in Church life beyond the congregations were with Presbyterian Women, especially at the Presbytery level. She attended many Synod Women meetings and several meetings of the National Triennium of Presbyterian Women. Other involvements include AARP, the Helping Hand, Priscilla Literary Clubs, Minister’s Wives Association and the University Park West Charlotte Community Center Senior Group. Inez was highly respected by those who witnessed her benevolent spirit. In 1991, Former Governor James G. Martin signed a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of the North Carolina Department of Human Resources for Inez’s volunteer service to North Carolina’s people. A Certificate of Distinction from New York University’s Department of Teaching and Learning was bestowed upon Inez in 1997. Inez was lauded for sharing her teaching experiences as a participant in the Dean’s Research Travel Colloquium which focused on “The Journey to Brown v The Board of Education: Before and After Desegregation of Schools in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.” Mr. & Mrs. Hazel and Joyce Freeman owners of Loving Touch Adult Day Health Care Center, Inc. featured Inez in one of the Center’s newsletters. Described as a determined, delightful and dedicated Alzheimer’s Dementia participant, Inez was encouraged by the Freemans to interact and enjoy center activities in conjunction with her personalized care plan. Inez Platt Newberry was a devoted wife, loving mother, exceptional teacher, concerned neighbor, and faithful Christian. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. E.E. Newberry, two brothers, Mr. Carlie Platt, Jr. and Mr. Ernest Platt, her daughter, Mrs. Beucenia N. Dodd, two brothers-in-law, Mr. Joseph H. Benson and Mr. Frank Newberry, two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Hannah Ellis. Platt and Mrs. Barbara B. Platt. Continuing to hold her in blessed memory are her son, Rev. Edward B. Newberry, Sr. (Dema), daughter, Ms. Brenda Newberry Footman, brother, Dr. Russell L. Platt, sister, Mrs. Doris P. Benson, sister in law, Mrs. Mary H. P. Byuarm, son-in-law, Mr. James T. Dodd, Jr., four grandchildren, Mr. Edward B. Newberry, Jr. (Sabrina), Mr. Charles Earl Footman, Mrs. Sharon N. Toguchi (Masanori), Ms. Charlene Inez Footman, eight great grand-children, Adrian Davis, Esaias Newberry, Brielle Newberry, Saraya Newberry, Jalen Brown, Cameron Footman, Mia Toguchi and Laila Toguchi. Cherishing “Mrs. Newberry, Great granny and Auntie’s” memory are Krishna Brown, Derrick Fennell, Ny’air Fennell and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. We have all been so richly blessed to share life and love with Inez. Our prayer is that Inez now be awarded the crown of righteousness which has been laid up by our Savior Christ, as Inez is courted with all who have loved our gracious Lord and rejoice in his appearing. Through all eternity may Inez share in the kingdom of God.

Inez Platt Newberry

October 21, 1922 - October 10, 2014