WINDER – Dr. Harvey Ray Newman, Sr., 69, passed away Monday, November 25, 2013.
He was was a Baptist pastor for 26 years, a Georgia Baptist missionary for 21 years, and was on one of the first mission teams to enter the Soviet Union after the Iron Curtain came down. He spent the last decade under the Gold Dome in Atlanta representing Georgia Baptists as a public policy advocate. He helped legislators craft the Marriage Amendment in 2004, defining marriage as one man and one woman for life. Dr. Newman also helped champion the cause against sex trafficking in Atlanta. He was at the forefront in advancing the cause of righteousness in Georgia for years.
Survivors include his wife, Gwen Newman; son, Rusty (Laura) Newman; sister, Clara (Terry) Grimes; brother, Joe (Jackie) Newman; and grandchildren Grant, Austin, Carson and Maggie Newman.
The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 26. The funeral service will be held at the Union Baptist Church in Winder at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 27, with Dr. Rusty Newman, Dr. Frank Cox, Dr. J. Robert White and the Rev. Glen McCall officiating. Interment will follow at 3 p.m. at Lakeview Memory Gardens in Phenix City, Ala.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Truett McConnell College Ray Newman Endowment.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.