Obituary of Grace Gartrelle Newsome

Grace was known as Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Desoto Princess, Grandma Trell, GTrell, Aunt Gartrelle and Trellie, Neighbor and Friend! Her Mother was Lucy Grace Holsenbeck Brandon, Her Father Arthur Thomas Brandon; her brothers Tom, Marshall, Marium and sisters Martha and Elizabeth. Her son, Roy and daughters Marian, Suzie and Amy. Mostly, Grace was called Gartrelle as not to confuse with her mother’s name Grace. She lived a life full of family as depicted in her family tree! Born in Palmetto, FL, life was quaint and simple ways as she told of the cow and chickens in the back yard and the infamous “Guava Tree” in the front, right by the kitchen. She saw many a jelly jar made from the wood burning stove by her mother going out to neighbors, friends and family. It was always a special treat she was Well Known for. Gartrelle loved to dance! When the “soldier boys” came to town at the Bradenton Service Men’s club she would be there with her girl friends dancing to the swing bands, and artist of the Era Bing Crosby, jitterbugging away to the last dance. The last “recorded” dance was Nov. 12, 2017, at the wedding reception for Roy and Christina, kicking up her heels and waving to the guests! She was so pleased with herself, what a hoot! She was also very fond of the days she attended Florida State University before working at the bank in Palmetto. On January 16th, 1949, she was married to Jacob Gilcrest Newsome in the Methodist Church of Palmetto, moved to Bradenton and a house was built off the Manatee River. Her life matured into motherhood with her first born, Marshall LeRoy, called Roy in 1950, following along came Marian, Suzie and Amy. She continued in her life style of Bridge Clubs with the girl friends, and serving in the Entre Nous Club of Manatee that was founded in 1931 continually doing service projects throughout the year. Also, with Jake being involved in The Desoto Celebration, she was having fun with The Desoto Ball and Banquet. Her sister-law, Anne, resided in Sebring having a yearly open invitation to the 12 Hours of Sebring Races, getting tickets and up front parking across from pit road. Eventually we upgraded to a motor home vehicle taking friends and grilling our meals. She never ran out of life opportunities as she began accompanying Jake to the Florida Gators Football games for many years while Roy was in School and playing football too. Football ran strong and they had tickets for the Tampa Bay Bandits to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Her children blended in well with service in their church foundations of the First Methodist Church of Bradenton and youth camps at Lake Junaluska to Palma Solo Bradenton for the beach reinactment of playing Indians for the DeSoto landings, to attic sales raising funds for the needy. The families of her brothers and sisters and Jake’s family Mary and Anne, made for plenty of get togethers for birthdays, and holidays! The family tree kept growing and branching out to eventually include Great Grandchildren. All through her 97 years there were navigations through rough waters, sets backs, and restoration of business from theft and fires. She persevered, as stated in God’s Holy Word, Luke 21.19 “ By your endurance you will gain your lives.” She ran her race, she endured and ended strong as her soul swept into Jesus’s arms. Her Legacy of Memories will carry on through ALL who were Blessed by her. So, whether you called her Grace, Gracie, Mother, Momma, Gartrelle, Grandma Trell, GTrell, Aunt Gartrelle, she loved her names and answered with acceptance from her heart and soul. SHE IS WELL WITH HER SOUL IN THE ARMS OF JESUS CHRIST LOVE YOU ALWAYS The Family Requests in lieu of flowers, please respond to the donation link below for The Entre Nous Club of Manatee A Funeral Service will be held at Griffith-Cline Funeral Home, Friday, July 15th at 11:00 am with a reception to follow.