Dr. Virginia K. Newell

Obituary For Dr. Virginia K. Newell

Winston- Salem, NC- Dr. Virginia K. Newell of Winston-Salem NC, leaves behind an amazing legacy of service. Born October 7, 1917, in Advance North Carolina, to the union of William Spencer and Dinah Kimbrough, she was one of nine children. She graduated from Atkins High school in Winston Salem. Dr. Virginia K. Newell, the oldest alum of Talladega College, stepped into eternity at the age of 107 on March 14, 2025.

A 1940 graduate of Talladega, Newell prided herself on living a life of service. A proud member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., she joined Chi Chapter at Talladega College and was a member of its Winston Salem Phi Omega Chapter. In 1977, she and her soror Vivian H. Burke became two of the first Black women elected to the city council in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Newell went on to represent East Winston-Salem for 16 years. After graduating from Talladega, Newell earned her master’s degree from New York University and later her Doctor of Education from the University of Sarasota.

Newell’s commitment to building better communities is highly regarded and respected. Before becoming an alderman, she taught math at two high schools and a professorship at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina. She also made a run for the local school board. Newell and her family later moved to Winston-Salem where she was a highly regarded professor at Winston-Salem State University. She is credited with founding the university’s computer science program and establishing other programs such as the Math and Science Academy of Excellence.

Dr. Newell believed in community engagement and the power of the vote. She was the North Carolina State campaign manager for Shirley Chisholm for her bid for the presidency of the United Sates. Her close contemporaries included poet laurate Maya Angelou, Oprah and former student Rev. James Forbes.

Dr. Newell recognized that she could make an even bigger impact on the community. In a 2017 interview with the City of Winston-Salem, she said that she was motivated to run for the city council (then called the Board of Aldermen) to “clean up” East Winston-Salem. Newell said, "I didn't go into office to get money–to be rich–I went into office to give a service."

Dr. Newell did what she believed had to be done to strengthen her community. She played a vital role in the creation of the East Winston Shopping Center, a project that revitalized the area and provided essential services to residents. Newell also played a role in converting a dilapidated property to the Ivy Arms Community Center and Apartments. She also founded the YWCA’s Best Choice Center, an after-school program that provided academic enrichment activities and summer camps for children from low-income families.

Even with her public service demands, Newell never lost her love for math. She co-edited "Black Mathematicians and Their Works," the first published book about African American mathematicians according to mathematicallygiftedandblack.com. She was also a fixture in the National Association of Mathematicians. In a charmingly understated manner, Newell told the City of Winston-Salem, "I just do math for fun."

So treasured was Newell’s service to Winston-Salem that the city partially named a recreational path, the Newell/Massey Green, in her honor; and the Salem Lake Marina Center renamed one of its rooms the Dr. Virginia K. Newell Room. She was also placed in the congressional record on the occasion of her accomplishments on her centennial birthday.

In 2017, Dr. Newell was bestowed the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest honor presented by the governor of North Carolina. Among her many numerous awards, honors and recognition, she is listed in 2021 as Black History Month honoree by the Mathematically Gifted & Black.

Dr, Newell advised the Class of 2024 of Talladega College in a video message, “Believe in yourself…Believe that you can do anything that’s out there for you to do. In February 2025, Dr. Newell was featured in the PBS documentary Journeys of Black Mathematicians, a two- part series portraying pioneers who expanded the presence of African American in the field of mathematics.

Dr. Newell was united in holy matrimony in 1943 to the late George F Newell, and together they created a loving and nurturing home for their beloved daughters, Dr. Glenda Newell – Harris and Dr. Virginia Dee Banks. The mantel of Dr. Newell’s legacy has been placed upon the shoulders of her grandchildren Brittany (Naseen) Harris Beachman, Dr. Phillip Harris, Dr. Mary Branch, Atty. Matthew Banks, Todd Payne and Mark Banks. Her memory is emboldening through her great grandchildren Olivia Branch, Zara Beachman, Zayn Beachman and Grayden Payne.

As Dr. Newell gracefully passed into eternity, she takes her rightful place at the ancestral table reunited with her affectionate parents, beloved spouse George, loving siblings Hazel Kimbrough Bessie, Adalia Brown, Charles Kimbrough, Chester Kimbrough, Dr. Leo Samuel Kimbrough, who was a World War II vet, John Albert Kimbrough and Babe Kimbrough along with treasured elders such as Maya, and now is among the great cloud of witnesses.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE INFORMATION

All are welcome to attend and join the Newell Family as we collectively remember the joy and love that she brought to so many.

Quiet Hour

Date/Time: Friday, April 11, 2025, at 6:30pm

Location: First Baptist Church (700 Highland Ave, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101)

Memorial Service

Date/Time: Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 11:00am

Location: Wait Chapel at Wake Forest University (1834 Wake Forest Road Winston-Salem, NC, 27106)

Accommodations:

The family has secured a room block at Hotel Indigo Winston-Salem. Rooms ($230/night) can be booked by calling the hotel directly and mentioning the "Alderman Newell" room block.

• While the following hotels do NOT have blocked room, these are additional option in the area where you may wish to book an individual room:
  • Winston-Salem Marriott
  • Embassy Suites Winston-Salem
  • Kimpton Cardinal Winston-Salem
  • Courtyard Winston-Salem Downtown

Scholarship Fund Donations:

In honor of Dr. Newell, who deeply valued education and helping others, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a scholarship fund in her memory. This scholarship fund was established to support students pursuing higher education. Contributions can be made to the fund in the following ways:

1. Online donations: Visit wsfoundation.org/newell to make a secure donation via credit card.
2. Mailing donations: Checks can be made payable to "The Winston-Salem Foundation" with "Dr. Virginia K. Newell Memorial Fund" in the memo line, and mailed to: The Winston-Salem Foundation, 751 W 4th St #200, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

All donors will receive a gift receipt/acknowledgement from the Winston-Salem Foundation. Your generous contributions will help continue Dr. Newell's passion for education, and we are deeply grateful for your support.

Cards or Condolences Can Be Sent To

• Dr. Dee Banks, 697 Colonial Dr, Youngstown, OH, 44505.
• Dr. Glenda Newell-Harris at 4082 Sequoyah Rd, Oakland, CA, 94605.

At this most intimate time, the beloved family of Dr. Virginia K. Newell elected to entrust locally the Ministry of Comfort & Care and After-Care Arrangements to the J. E. Washington Funeral Services, 2234 Glenwood Ave., Youngstown OH 330.782.8500

Phenomenal Woman
Men themselves have wondered
what they see in me.
They try so much, but they can't touch
my inner mystery.
When I try to show them
they say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
the sun of my smile,
the ride of my breasts,
the grace of my style.
I'm a woman phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman, that's me!

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