“Busy as a bee” describes Herman Russell Newton, 87, who was born September 3, 1935. Herman passed away peacefully in his home on Tuesday, September 27, 2022.
As one of eight children to Hoyle and Stella Newton, he and his siblings learned to be resourceful and develop their many talents. Herman learned masonry at an early age and became the 1956 State Apprentice Bricklaying Champion at age 20. As he grew, so did his skills and interests. His hands helped build many colleges, schools, churches, businesses and homes in our area and as far away as Alaska. He was able to build a beautiful home for his own family on Lake Norman in 1974 using all of his construction skills and a fair amount of horse trading! Many years later he built a dream cabin on the New River that he and his wife Barbara loved sharing with their friends and family. Many fond memories were made on Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends when that property turned into a “camp ground” for members of their church.
Herman was blessed to work for the Mooresville Senior High School vocational education program for the majority of his career. He shared his construction knowledge with hundreds of students and gave many of them the foundation they needed to pursue their own vocational goals. Herman also worked most weekends on side jobs building cabinets, brick walls or other small jobs. He was always interested in taking on a project. His hands were very seldom idle.
After retirement, Herman pursued his interest in beekeeping. He quickly expanded to tending multiple hives, and soon a “Honey for Sale” sign was hanging by the road. “Herman’s Honey” was sold in farmers markets and other retail locations for many years. Herman was kept as busy as his bees collecting, caring for and selling their honey.
Despite all his projects, he found time for travel, hiking with friends and many fishing adventures on Lake Norman and places beyond.
Herman was a lifelong member of Broad Street United Methodist Church. It is the church his parents walked their family to when he was a child, and it is the church in which Herman and Barbara raised their family. Herman served Broad Street in many capacities, and there it will be that we commemorate him and give thanks for his life.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 65 years, Barbara Newton; son Kevin (Tina) Newton; daughter Kelly Newton; daughter Kayren (Phil) Williamson; son Korey (Kristen) Newton; and grandchildren Callie Newton, Cole Newton, Sara (James) Bonner, Hannah Mitchell, Justin Newton, Savannah Newton and Kelsey Newton. He is also survived by two siblings, Ruby Isehour and Connie Lipe.
Herman was preceded in death by siblings Cecil Newton, Richard Newton, Lorene Rash, Bobby Newton and twin Vernon Newton. Barbara’s family who loved him as a son- and brother-in-law since 1957 include Ross and Sara Brown (deceased), Susan White (deceased) and Becky Deal.
Service will be at Broad Street United Methodist Church in Mooresville on Friday September 30, 2022, at 4 p.m. Visitation will precede the service from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the church fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Broad Street United Methodist Church, 355 S Broad Street, Mooresville, NC 28115.
We thank God for your faithfulness, high standards, sense of adventure, love of learning, work ethic and servant’s heart. You’ll be missed ’til we meet again!
Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Newton family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.