Star Staff Reports
Bro. Ray Newcomb was known for his love of the outdoors.
Ray Newcomb
Longtime Minister of the Millington First Baptist Church Bro. Ray Newcomb passed away April 27 from a battle with cancer at Baptist Reynolds Hospice in Collierville.
Newcomb, 77, last resided in Counce. He was born in Alcorn County, Miss., on Sept. 12, 1939 to the late Azure and Mary Emma Cummings Newcomb. Bro. Ray served for 60 years as a Southern Baptist Minister with 33 of those years as the Minister at Millington First Baptist Church.
He was ordained at South Corinth Baptist Church by Bro. Harris Counce and began his ministry before he graduated high school.
During his years of service, he had the honor to serve as president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention and president of the Tennessee Baptist Pastors Conference. Newcomb had a chance to also serve as the president for one year at the North American Mission Board and for many years as a trustee.
Newcomb was also the chairman of the board at Union University and had various responsibilities within the Mid-South Baptist association. He retired in May 2009 from the Millington First Baptist Church but continued to serve as interim pastor to many churches until 2016.
He was a member of First Baptist Church — Counce. Newcomb will forever be remembered in the hearts of his family and friends.
Visitation was held Sunday April 30 at Magnolia Funeral Home. A celebration of Bro. Ray’s life was held May 1 at Oakland Baptist Church officiated by Bro. Gary Watkins, Bro. Bob Sorrell and Bro. Randy Davis. Also speaking and remembering Newcomb were Dr. David Leavell and his longtime friend Larry Silvey. Interment followed at Holly Cemetery.
The Pallbearers were Larry Mitchell, Brad Mitchell, Ricky Newcomb, Dave Shanklin, Andy Moore and Marcus Moore. Honorary pallbearers were include Jackson Blaine Michell, Mitchell Shettles and Braden Shettles.
Those left to honor Bro. Ray, Brent Newcomb and wife Nicole of Dallas, his grandson Ridge Newcomb of Tulsa, Okla., his sisters Evelyn Moore of Rock Hill, S.C. And Barbara Mitchell and husband Larry of Corinth, Miss., several nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends and church family.
In addition to his parents, Bro. Ray was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Carolyn Newcomb; his brothers James and Loyd Newcomb; and by his special niece Marla Mitchell Shettles.
Churches Newcomb served over the years were Tishomingo Chapel, County Line Baptist Church, North Corinth Baptist Church, Picayune Baptist Church (while at New Orleans Seminary), First Baptist Church (Williston, Fla.) First Baptist Church (Monticello, Fla.) and First Baptist Church Millington.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions many be made to your local church, missions and/or the Gideon’s. Online condolences may be expressed at www.magnoliafuneralhome.net
Millington First Baptist Church will host a Memorial Service in honor of Bro. Ray Newcomb May 20 at the church located at 5010 West Union Road at 4 p.m. Donations and offerings to the memorial fund in behalf of Newcomb will be accepted that day. For more information, call 901) 872-2264.
