Gerald Newell

Gerald "Jerry" Emmitt Newell passed away on February 18th, 2025 at the age of 82. He was born to Emmitt Mocell and Dorothy Louise Malone Newell in Meridian, MS on October 26th, 1942. He is survived by his wife of over 58 years, Rita Lyles Newell, his son Gerald Scott Newell (Amy), granddaughter Briley Jane Maurell (Arik), grandson Casey Jacob Newell, his great-grandchildren Naama Leia Maurell and Lionel Avraham Maurell, his brother Robert Mocell Newell (Janice), brother in law Jim Lyles (Rhonda), sister in law Robbie Lyles Shehane (Don), sister in law Judy Lyles Grayson, and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jerry was Meridian Star Paper Boy of the Year in 1955, graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1965, and married the love of his life Rita on February 3rd, 1967, at Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church which they attended while growing up in Meridian, MS. They lived in Atlanta, GA for over 5 years, settled into Alabaster and Hoover, AL for the next 50 years, and moved to Nashville, TN in 2022 to be closer to family.

Jerry served six years in the Air National Guard, taught children in Sunday school for over 45 years making the kids laugh as "Mr. Jerry" while Rita read Bible stories, coached his Scotty in little league baseball for 11 consecutive years, coached youth church basketball teams, and women's softball teams in Alabaster. He loved his "Rita-ccinos", playing hearts, margaritas at any Mexican restaurant, history (particularly World War II), playing bingo and attending bible study at Clarendale, cheering on Big Blue basketball, the NY Yankees, and his beloved Ole Miss Rebels in all sports. Jerry and Rita loved traveling upon retirement and explored at least 19 countries, many on repeated trips. Jerry had a great sense of humor and could talk with anyone. Jerry loved his country, was a devoted husband, father, and a proud grandfather and great-grandfather ("Bop").

Visitation will be from 10:00-11 :00 AM on Tuesday February 25th with a memorial service at 11 :00 AM at Hunter Street Baptist Church, 2600 John Hawkins Parkway, Hoover, AL 35244, preceded by a private burial ceremony at Currie-Jefferson Memorial Gardens.