Elmer Newsome, 78, of Naugatuck went home to be with the lord Thursday, July 2, 2009 at 3:15 p.m. at his residence in Naugatuck, W.Va.

Born April 1, 1931, in Mingo County West Virginia, he was the son of the late Ida and Isaac Newsome Sr. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Irene (Curry) Newsome; brothers John B. Newsome, Russell Newsome, Hershel Newsome; sisters Marie Newsome Turner, Ethel Newsome Evans, and nephews Michael Turner and Jeff Newsome.

Elmer was a graduate of Lenore High School class of 1950. He worked at Island Creek store number 21 as an assistant store manager for two years. Afterward, Elmer served four years in the United States Navy during the Korean conflict and was honorably discharged hi 1956. He also worked for Norfolk and Southern railroad for a short period of time; however, he decided to return to college to complete his education. Elmer received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Charleston (Morris Harvey College) of Charleston, West Virginia. He was employed by the Mingo County Board of Education for a period often years until he began working with the United States Postal Service from which he retired after 35 years of service. At the time of his retirement he was serving as Postmaster at the Naugatuck Post Office in Naugatuck, West Virginia.

Elmer is survived by one brother, Freddie (Carolyn) Newsome of West Williamson, West Virginia; one sister, Lucinda (Ray) Curry of Chattaroy, West Virginia, and a very special friend and wonderful caregiver, Nannie Mounts of Delbarton, West Virginia.

He was also survived by several nieces: Brenda (George) Crum, Kimberly (Neil) Parsley, Pamela Thompson, Vanessa New-some, Paula Kay (Greg) Maynard, Sharon (Eugene) Ingram, Tammy Watts, several nephews: Jerome (Barbara) Newsome, Allen (Renee) Turner, Gary (Alice) Newsome, William Tom Newsome, Eric (Melanie) Curry, Derek (Sharon) Curry, Mark D. Curry and several great nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be conducted at the Bethel Temple Assembly of God Church, where Elmer was a member, at 1 p.m., on Sunday, July 5, 2009, with the Reverend Haskell Runyon, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in the Mountain View Memory Gardens at Maher, West Virginia.

Visitation for friends and family will be at the Weaver Mortuary on Saturday July 4, 2009 from 6 to 9 p.m., and also at the Bethel Temple Assembly of God Church one hour prior to the funeral services.

Honorary pallbearers will be H. Truman Chafin, Dick Golf, Rufus Meade, Carl Martin, Tommy Damron, Jerry Collinsworth, Dodie Slone, David Brewer, Leon Blackburn, Robert Preston, Greg Southers, and Earl Howard.

Nephews will serve as pallbearers.

All arrangements are under the direction of Weaver Mortuary, West Williamson, West Virginia.