Alvin V. Newton
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Mr. Alvin V. Newton, a longtime resident of Bland Lake Community in San Augustine County, passed from this life on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in San Augustine thus attaining the age of 98 years, 1 month, 19 days.
Alvin was born Sept. 30, 1924, in Bland Lake Community to parents Sarah Ann (Horn) Newton and John Robert Newton. After high school, he joined the United States Army, and was assigned to the 36th Infantry Division Company G 142nd Infantry. He served on the front lines in WW II as a First Scout, Rifleman and a Bazooka Rocket Launcher operator. He obtained the rank of Corporal and saw action in Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rineland, and Central Europe. While serving in World War II, he received several decorations and citations which included the WW II Victory Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, the EAME Theater Ribbon and 4 Bronze Service Stars.
In 2016, Mr. Newton was presented the Legion of Honor Medal by the French government for his contribution to the liberation of France during WW II. The Legion of Honor Medal was presented to Alvin during a Veteran's Day Ceremony in Austin, Texas. The Legion of Honor Medal is the highest decoration awarded by France and it was presented to Newton by the honorable Sujiro Seam, Consul General of France.
After returning home in 1946 from WW II, Alvin married Syble Cylesta Andrews on June 1, 1946. He and his dad, John Robert Newton, bought a grist mill where they ground white corn meal to sell to the public. In 2005, he built a replica of the water wheel that once powered cotton gin/grist mill owned by his grandfather, R.L. Newton. Alvin was a retired carpenter/builder, served as a member of the San Augustine Independent School District School Board of Trustees, and was an active member and deacon of Liberty Hill Baptist Church.
Those who are left to cherish his memory include his daughters, Brenda McCurry of Benton, Arkansas, and Betty Chambers and husband Lane of San Augustine; sons, Alvin K. Newton and wife Ruth Ann of Beaumont, and Gregory C. Newton and wife Angela of Martinsville; 10 grandchildren, Michael McCurry (Jennifer), Stephanie Poe (Donald), Jon Robert Newton (Cat), Jenny Newton Lamb, Crystal Allen (Chad), Clint Chambers (Brandy), Jonathan Newton, Stuart Newton (Laura), Taylor Newton (Emily), and Brooke Warr (Matt); 19 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; brothers, John Thomas Newton, and Jimmy Newton of San Augustine.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 68 years, Syble Newton on December 11, 2014; his parents, John Robert and Sarah Newton; brothers, Edward, Jessie, Carl, Glynn, Leonard, and Wayne Newton; and son-in-law, William L. "Bill" McCurry.
Pallbearers: Michael McCurry, Jon Robert Newton, Clint Chambers, Jonathan Newton, Stuart Newton, Taylor Newton. Honorary pallbearers: Lane Chambers and Gary Andrews.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in the Wyman Roberts Memorial Chapel, with Bro. Frank Holrath officiating. Interment will be in the Liberty Hill Memorial Garden.
Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, at Wyman Roberts Funeral Home, 316 W. Columbia St. in San Augustine.