Raymond W Newsom

April 29, 1935 - June 17, 2020

Raymond White Newsom, 85, of Vandalia, IL passed away peacefully Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at his home surrounded by family. A public Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM, Saturday, June 20, 2020 at Bethel Baptist Church, Vandalia. A Private Funeral Service and Interment will follow, with Rev. Dr. Ben Foxworth officiating. Burial will take place in McInturff Cemetery, rural Vandalia. Memorials may be made to McInturff Cemetery. Mr. Newsom was born on April 29, 1935 in Paragould, AR, the son of Jefferson James and Ruth Mae (Gill) Newsom. He married Peggy Leona Frazier on November 05, 1955; together they celebrated nearly 65 years of marriage and raised three children. After retirement from General Motors, Ray was employed by the Illinois Department of Corrections; working at the Vandalia Correctional Center for 23 years. Ray was a member of Bethel Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Peggy Newsom of Vandalia; daughter, Deana and husband, J.C. Wilkerson of Pryor, OK; son, Darrin “Smokey” Newsom and wife, Amy of Vandalia; bonus son, Terry Sutherland and wife, Susan of Shobonier; sisters, Bessie Miller and Mary Kruger; grandchildren, Derek Schulte, Jace Wilkerson, Demi Whittinghill, Dawn Cripe, Jason Cripe, J.D. Cripe, Whitney Huggins, and Alex Newsom; great-grandchildren, Davin, Cole, Jayden, Brooklynn and Macy. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Donna Cohen; brothers, Jim, Harold, and Douglas Newsom; and an infant brother, Ray Edward Newsom. (It is recommended that guidelines set forth by the Center for Disease Control and Illinois Department of Public Health as they relate to COVID-19 be followed. This includes but is not limited to face covering and social distancing. Please be respectful of others.)