Alice Marie Newman
Alice Marie Newman of Columbia died Friday, March 18, 2011. She was 57.
Ms. Newman was born Aug. 1, 1953, in Illinois to Delbert Greger Sr. and Vada Marie (Johnson) Greger.
At a young age, Ms. Newman traveled south, spending much of her life in Sylacauga, Ala.
Rebecca Jackson, Ms. Newman's daughter, thought of her mother as a strong woman. Ms. Newman was one of only two female employees at a rock quarry for more than 18 years.
Jackson said her mother's strength could be seen in her parenting as well because her mother worked hard to take care of her children as a single parent.
Ms. Newman's strength carried her throughout her life. Although Ms. Newman struggled with diabetes and other health problems later in life, she always found time to spend with her family, especially with her grandchildren.
"She loved to pick on her grandkids," Jackson said. "She used to call my son 'SpongeBob' because it was Noah's favorite cartoon. She had nicknames for her other grandkids, too."
In her free time, Ms. Newman loved to watch movies and especially enjoyed trips to the movie theater.
Ms. Newman is survived by two sons, Nick Newman of Columbia and Ron Newman of Sylacauga, Ala.; two daughters, Rebecca Jackson of Clark and Jamie Stites of Columbia; and seven grandchildren.
Her son Charles E. Newman Jr., her parents and her brother, Ronald Gene Miller, died earlier.
Ms. Newman was cremated Tuesday, and the family will have a private service to spread the ashes.
Condolences can be left at parkerfuneralservice.com.
