Cecil Thomas Newbern, Sr, 79, of LaGrange, GA passed away Monday, May 27, 2019 at WellStar Medical Center in LaGrange, surrounded by his family and friends after an 8 month battle with lung cancer.  Cecil was born November 24, 1939 in Fort Myers, FL to the late Joe Brown Newbern, Sr and Annie Belle Conrad Newbern.  From an infant, he was reared in Malone, FL by his grandparents, the late Ben and Sally Conrad.  He was preceded in death by his brothers, Joe Brown Newbern, Jr, Francis Newbern, Morris Newbern, and Barron Newbern.

Cecil loved his friends, his family and the Georgia Bulldogs.  He was a beloved and dedicated member of Cathedral of Praise Church where he played the guitar for worship service and served as a deacon on the church board.  He also played the lead guitar in the Christianaires gospel group for over 13 years.

Cecil worked for West Point Stevens for 36 years, where he started working as a Machine Operator and moved up to Supervisor, then retired as a Supply Clerk.  He worked for 11 years at Leshner Corporation as a Supervisor before retirement.  After retirement, he worked for 12 years as an Independent Driver for various car dealerships.

Cecil leaves behind Wanda Newbern, his wife of 56 years; children, Tommy Newbern (Sheryl) of LaGrange and Dana Lewis (Brian) of Moultrie; grandchildren, Lindsey Kirkland (Tim) of LaGrange, Nicole Petty (Jared) of Cleveland, TN,  Joel Lewallen of LaGrange, Josh Moore (Shannon) of LaGrange and Nicole Fairchild of LaGrange; great grandchildren, Hutson Kirkland, Timmy Kirkland, Lily Burns, Jayden Moore, Ridge Moore, Archer Moore, Lynix Moore and Mallorie Fairchild; sister, Lois Russom of Koskiusko, MS; a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews; three aunts, Myrtle Bonner of Toccoa, Gertrude Smith of Columbus and Phyllis Conrad of Malone, FL.

Services for Cecil Newbern will be 1:00pm Friday, May 31, 2019 in the Chapel of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary with Pastor Tina Deese and Rev. Jimmy McMillian officiating. The gathering of family and friends will be at the funeral home on Thursday, May, 30, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00p.m. Those wishing to share a condolence or remembrance with the family may do so by visiting www.shlagrange.com.

Arrangements are by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road, LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 884-8636