Bernice Locke Newman

Bernice Locke Newman, 79, of Benton, died Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at her residence.

She was born in Delano and had lived in Polk County all of her life, with the exception of two years she was a student at Hiwassee College. She was a daughter of the late Lee and Prudie Rogers Locke, and was a member of Delano Baptist Church. She was president of the Delano Home Demonstration Club and the Delano Quilting Club. Bernice enjoyed reading, traveling, piecing quilts, growing flowers, and her cherished Teddies Club members, Kriste and Tori Roderick, Denise Frase, Pat Coggin, Jane McCarter, Sarah Grapatin and Faye King.

She graduated from Hiwassee College with an Associate Degree, from Tennessee Wesleyan College with a B.S. Degree, and Middle Tennessee State University with a Masters Degree in Counseling. She taught in the Polk County Schools (Conasauga Elementary, Delano Elementary-coached basketball, and Polk County High School-physical education and English IV) from 1949 until her retirement in 1993. She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, J.L. Newman.

Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Leslie Bernice Newman Brown and husband Thomas of Benton; one sister, Mildred Locke of Benton; one brother and sister-in-law, Bud and Dot Locke of Benton; two nephews and spouses, Robert and Kelly Locke of Benton and Randy and D.J. Locke of Soddy Daisy; one great-nephew, Austin Locke of Benton; one great-niece, Sarah Elizabeth Locke of Georgetown; one great-nephew, Zack Locke of Georgetown; a host of friends; and a special thanks to dear friends and neighbors, Gena and Lydia Simpson.

Family and friends will assemble at Mountain View Cemetery at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 6, 2011 for graveside service with Dr. John Powers. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, January 5th in the South Chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home.

Bordwine Funeral Home of Etowah in charge of arrangements.