The funeral services for the late Mr. Joseph Thomas Newkirk, who departed this life on Thursday, March 6, 2025, will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. from the Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Shingler, Georgia. Reverend Terrell Carter will deliver the Eulogy. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery. Services may be viewed Facebook Live from the Shipp's Funeral Home Facebook page or by clicking the Video Stream link on this site's Home Page. At the request of the family, there will be NO public viewing/visitation of the remains of the late Mr. Joseph Newkirk.

Mr. Joseph Thomas Newkirk was born on August 1, 1950 in Sylvester, Georgia to the late Dr. and Mrs. John Thomas and Helen Lynn Newkirk. On Thursday, March 6, 2025, he quietly slipped away to his heavenly home to receive his crown while hospitalized at Phoebe Putney Hospital in Albany, Georgia.

At an early age he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. He was baptized at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church by the late Rev. Otis Pitts. Mr. Newkirk proudly served as a member of the deacon board for many years at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

Mr. Newkirk received his early education in the Worth County School System at J.W. Holley. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Fort Valley State University. While at Fort Valley State University, he became a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated. Mr. Newkirk was an outstanding athlete, playing both football and baseball for J.W. Holley and Fort Valley State University.

As a history teacher in the Worth County School
System, he was a connoisseur of world history, but he especially loved teaching Georgia history. Mr. Newkirk served as both a coach and teacher to hundreds of students, dedicating countless hours to promoting the importance of excellence in education and sports.

Mr. Newkirk was a player/coach for the Sylvester Community Softball team called the "Black Machine." This team involved adult athletes from the Sylvester
community, and these men would travel across South Georgia, often finishing the season undefeated. This group of men was regarded as the pro athletes of the community. The players would call Mr. Newkirk
"Castleberry," especially when he hit a home run out of the park.

Mr. Newkirk joins several of his loved ones who preceded him in death, including his father, the late Dr. John Thomas Newkirk; his mother, Helen Lynn Newkirk; and his brother, Danny Newkirk.

Mr. Newkirk leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife of 51 years, Barbara Newkirk. To this union, they were blessed with three children: two sons, Yusvf Brantley, Sr. (Ayana) (Houston, TX) and Joseph Thomas II (Charlotte, NC), and a daughter, Jocelyn Newkirk (Sylvester, GA); his grandchildren, Jordan Newkirk, Jaxson Newkirk, Michaiah McIntosh, Yusvf Brantley, Jr., Leilani Brantley, Ashanti Brantley, and Jessica Brantley-Lee; his great-grandchildren, Elliandna, Jayden, Jada, Ian, and Nayalie.; his sister, Dr. Michelle Matthews (Atlanta, GA); his sisters-in-law, Mildred Holmes (Hephzibah, GA) and Linda Newkirk (Hampton, GA); and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins, his best friend, Willie Howard (Pop), who visited and consistently called to check on him throughout his illness.

Mr. Newkirk’s passion for education and sports will always be remembered in the Sylvester community. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.