Virginia Newsom

Virginia Ann "Sister" Wells Newsom, 79, of Chattanooga, passed on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, in Orlando, Fla. She was educated in the Chattanooga Public School system and a member of the Howard High Class of 1953. She retired from Erlanger Hospital after 36 years of faithful and dedicated service as a Certified Nursing Assistant. She was also employed by Miller Brothers and Lovemans. She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Ida Mae Ware; father, Edward Wells, Detroit, Mich.; sister, Mary Bernice Graham, Los Angeles, Calif.; mother, Annie Mae Ware Ridley; stepfather, Cornelius Ridley. She leaves to mourn and cherish her memory a brother, Robert Cornelius "RC" (Bertha) Ridley, of Chattanooga; three daughters: Iris Al-Uqdah, of Kennesaw, Ga., Carolyn Newsom (Robert) McElvain Sr., of Chattanooga; and Jackie Newsom (Edward) Chapman, of Orlando, Fla.; twin sons, Amari and Anthony Newsom, of Chattanooga; nephew, Bennie L. Graham (Sharon) Jr.; former spouse, William D. "Billy" Newsom Jr.; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a host of close friends and other relatives. The family hour will be on from 7-8 p.m. today at Taylor Funeral Home chapel. Funeral services will be held at New United Missionary Baptist Church at noon Thursday with Pastor Jeffrey L. Wilson officiating. Burial will be at Forest Hills Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made in her memory to New United Churchs Faith and Charity Ministry, which was near and dear to her heart.