Virgil Syms Newman

Virgil Syms Newman, 73, of Madisonville, TN passed away Tuesday, January 23, 2024. 

Virgil was born in Knoxville, TN and graduated from McMinn Central High School. He was a member of Victory Praise Church in Sweetwater, TN and served his country honorably in the US Air Force. Virgil was a jack of all trades, but focused mainly on carpentry and home remodeling. Outside of work he enjoyed trout fishing in Tellico, flower and veggie gardening and wood working and spending time with his friends and family. Virgil was the best man you’d ever meet. He was happy go lucky, never met a stranger, and loved his family dearly. Virgil will live on through the creative and beloved nicknames he gave to his friends and family members. He is deeply loved and will be dearly missed.

Virgil is preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Mary Newman; brothers: Gerald, Johnny, Harold “Mack,” Ray, and Raymond Newman; sisters, Janie Buckner and Gail Guffey; and sisters-in-law, Betty Newman and Mary Ann Newman.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Dora Newman; daughter, Tara (Heath) Melton; son, Christopher Newman; grandchildren: Sophia, Aubrey, and Ethan Newman, Savannah, Olivia, and Grayson “Rooster” Melton; best friends, Ozzie Webb and Randall Vanhoose; many nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

The family will receive friends on Monday, January 29th, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Poole Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Etowah, 300 N Tennessee Ave. Etowah, TN 37331. Graveside services will be held Monday at 2:30 p.m. in the Mars Hill Cemetery, 267 Co. Rd. 508 Englewood, TN with Pastor Randall Vanhoose officiating.