CHAPEL HILL – Evelyn Newton, 92, of New York City and Chapel Hill, North Carolina, died on the 15th of November. She was born on May 17, 1926 in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina to Nanny Cleaton Shaw and John Albert Shaw. She was a resident of Durham where she raised her family, and then moved with her husband Mitchell (“Mitch”) to a property in Chapel Hill that had been part of his family’s farm. They lived there until Mitch’s death in 2005. Evelyn (“Lynn”) moved to New York City several years later to be with her daughter Nancy and son-in-law John A. Sipp and their four children.
Evelyn was a parishioner of her beloved St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, and a member of the King’s Daughters focusing on philanthropy, education and social services. Evelyn loved tracing her lineage and was involved in the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was a descendant of Jamestown and of the Mayflower.
Evelyn graduated from the Woman’s College – now known as the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and received a master’s degree at UNC-Chapel Hill where she met her husband. Evelyn went on to teach at Southern High School in Durham. Later, Lynn turned her love of antiques into a long-term career at the Hillsborough and Daniel Boone Antiques Shops in Hillsborough, North Carolina for over 30 years.
Surviving are her daughter Nancy Newton Sipp and son-in-law John A. Sipp of New York City; her grandchildren, Sterling Sipp, John Sipp, Grace Meade Sipp and Cameron Sipp, and sisters-in-law Peggy Newton Jordan of Durham and Barbara Newton Woods of Hillsborough, and several nieces and nephews. Evelyn was predeceased by her husband Mitchell Newton, her son Mitch Newton, her sister Virginia, and her brothers Albert, Biddie, Breedlove, and Warren.
The funeral liturgy will be offered at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 8th, 2018 at St. Stephens Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 82 Kimberly Drive, Durham North Carolina 27707.
The Newton family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, Durham, NC. Online condolences: www.hallwynne.com; select obits.
Lou Ferrell Hicks
Rest in peace, Mrs. Newton. She was the best high school teacher I ever had, and I appreciate the way she taught and her firm but kind manner. I have thought of her many times through the years. I am sorry for her loss.
Carol Lynn Van Hise
Most of our class of ’55 at Bethesda High School learned typing and other important clerical skills while in Evelyn Newton’s classes – way before computers – however, important skills we used throughout our higher education and in our future work positions! She attended many of our class reunions through the years after we graduated. Sorry, we lost contact, while she lived out of state during these past few years..
Know that she was appreciated and loved.
Carol Lynn Van Hise
Kay Appel Nichols
Best typing and shorthand teacher. She was such a warm person and had a ready smile for everyone. Rest well Mrs Newton.
Victor B. Lynn
Almost all of the students at Bethesda High School took typing as it was considered a life skill everybody would need. I remember getting my knuckles whacked several times with a three cornered draftsman ruler because my fingers were not positioned correctly on the keyboard. Mrs. Newton also counseled me about being lazy or sloppy in my work and said I had greater potential. Somehow that meant a lot to me. She even had me practice my signature since I was class president and would sign some important papers. I think everybody felt she gave them special attention and we set our sights a little higher. Thank you Mrs. Evelyn Newton. May God bless your family in this time of mixed celebration and grief. You continue to inspire us.
Cherie Hawkins Jakubowski
As a past friend of Mrs. Newton’s son, Mitch, I would like to send my condolences to Nancy and her family. Mitch and I were friends many years ago and I will always remember your mother as a very kind and sweet person. I would sometimes visit her at the antique store and she would always greet me with such kindness and a wonderful warm smile. Remembering Mitch after many years always brings me joy. Mr. and Mrs. Newton took me to the Fork Union Military Academy Ball in Virginia where Mitch went to school. We were both so young. I still have the picture of us with him in his military uniform. Your parents were so wonderful to me and made me feel welcome and at ease. I also remember how much he loved his mother. I am so sorry for your loss Nancy. She was such a fun and loving person and I know she will be missed greatly. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this holiday season and always.
Angela Peterson
There aren’t any words to express how much I loved her and what she did for me and taught me. She was so human, lord, so unrefined , she made me laugh. Out loud. And still. What a blessing to know her, to love her, to be taught by her. She saw into the human spirit. My mentor, ” my buddy ” as she called me. Most people could not see your heart. Im thankful I could. Im such a better person for knowing you. And most of all you taught me to love my family no matter what. I pray yours knew how much you loved them. I do… Again thank you lord for putting her and Mr. Newton in my life. They helped raise me. At the pearly gates one day I would be honored to speak on both of their behalves….. I so loved you both and was so blessed and sometimes annoyed by both of you… Nancy, you were sooo loved. I hope you know.