Hilda Elizabeth Minton Newsom was born in Gadsden, AL February 21, 1920, the daughter of Clarence Shuford (Painter) and Juanita Victoria (Henson) Minton, natives of East Ellijay, GA. Hilda died October 11, 2022 in Pensacola, FL.

Hilda grew up in Laurel, MS during the Depression, graduating from George S. Gardiner High School in 1937. She graduated from Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, MS. She served as President of the Dunahoo Literary Society and was the News Editor of The Radionian. Following graduation in 1939, Hilda worked as Mail Circulation Manager at the Laurel Leader Call Newspaper. In September 1941, she became Assistant Manager of the Office Supply Company.

On March 15, 1943, Hilda became the first woman in Mississippi who enlisted in the Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service (WAVES), a branch of the Navy created to free men for active sea duty. Following boot camp, Hilda covered Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and western Florida as a Recruiter, and was commended by the Chief of Naval Personnel for her work in Navy Nurse Procurement. She was given an Honorable Discharge on November 14, 1945, with the rating of Specialist Recruiter First Class.

While stationed in New Orleans, Hilda became reacquainted with Navy Lieutenant Walter Decell Newsom, a native of Wayne County, MS and son of Louis Rowan and Annie Coral (Gray) Newsom. They married on June 2, 1946 in Laurel. That fall, the newly established G. I. Bill of Rights allowed her to enter the University of Chicago, where she graduated on March 19, 1948 with a degree in Biological Sciences, and Decell graduated from the Northern Illinois College of Optometry Accelerated Program.

The Newsoms returned to Mississippi, with Dr. Newsom beginning his Optometric practice in December 1948 in Waynesboro. By 1950, Hilda was the proprietor of the Sunny Flower Shop, and then later, of the Spot Coffee Shop. She and Decell were co-owners of many area businesses, such as the Triple Treat, the Humdinger, the Fiesta Restaurant, and several curb stores, as well as the Twin Cinema II, and Serenity Gardens Perpetual Care Cemetery. Hilda and Decell were instrumental in bringing Malbis Bread Company and Borden's Wayne Maid Dairy Products into Wayne County. Hilda taught English at Waynesboro-Central High School and participated in Adult Literacy Programs. She had several articles published in national magazines, and enjoyed reading, studying foreign languages, swimming, painting, pottery making, traveling, and playing (and winning) a mean Scrabble game!

Since 1949, Hilda and Decell, and their five children participated in activities of her beloved Waynesboro First United Methodist Church. Her most rewarding activity was teaching the Pre-School Sunday School Class.

Decell died August 20, 2003 in Hattiesburg, MS. After his death, Hilda thrived in Azalea Trace, a retirement community in Pensacola, FL. She will be remembered as a faithful Christian, beloved wife and mother, and close friend.

Hilda was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Juanita Minton, her husband of fifty-seven years, Dr. Walter Decell Newsom, and daughter, Donna L. Newsom Everitt. She is survived by her two sons, David L. "Larry" (Martha) Newsom of Waynesboro, MS, Richard L. (Renee) Newsom of Laurel, MS; two daughters, Anita L. Newsom (Steven) Nail of Greenville, MS, Karena L. Newsom (Raad) Cawthon of Oaxaca, Mexico; sister, Oleta I. Minton Montgomery of San Antonio, TX; grandchildren, W. Lance (Sommer) Newsom, William G. Newsom, Linda D. (Tiebauer) Forrest, Eric A. Tiebauer, Lisa A. Tiebauer, Zachary L. Newsom, Jodie L. Newsom (Mason) Walters, A. Courtney Cox, Lauren E. Nail (Emile) Swindol, and T. Jacob (Tessa) Cawthon; great grandchildren, Bailey Newsom, Britton Newsom, Ryleigh Newsom, Olivia Newsom, Austin Newsom, Amelia Cox, Charles Abston, Victoria Warren, Britain Hart, Paron Forrest, Rachel Tiebauer, Forress McRae, Jairus McRae, Tucker Cawthon, Esme Cawthon, and Otto Cawthon.

Visitation for Mrs. Newsom will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 22, 2022 at Waynesboro First United Methodist Church, Waynesboro, MS. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 22, 2022 at Waynesboro First United Methodist Church in Waynesboro, MS with Dr. Steven Bruns officiating. Interment will be in Serenity Gardens Cemetery in Waynesboro, MS. Pallbearers are Lance Newsom, Zachary Newsom, Eric Tiebauer, Emile Swindol, Mason Walters, and Terry Clanton. Honorary Pallbearers are Tom Becton, Jacob Cawthon, Bob Cooley, Doug Everitt, Ennis King, Alan McAdams, Will Newsom, Ken Rhinehart, Johnny Thomas, Gary Sigler, Bill Walker, and Bobby Watkins. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 701 Turner Street, Waynesboro, MS 39367.

Arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Funeral Home in Waynesboro, MS.