Lythie Gordon Newsome , the fifth oldest of seven children, was born January 10, 1934 in Southampton County, Virginia as recorded on his official birth certificate.  He respectfully celebrated his birthdate as February 10, 1933 because he was told that date by his parents, Walter and Martha Peete Newsome.  Lythie, nicknamed "Bee", joined the Rising Star Baptist Church in Branchville, Virginia at an early age, but often attended Sunday School at Pleasant Plain Baptist Church in Drewryville, Virginia due to its proximity to his childhood home.

Lythie came of age during an era where children were required to assist their families with farming above all else.  As a result, he was limited to a sixth-grade education.  That limitation, however, did not deter him from learning. "Farming was not for me", he would say; so, he left Southampton County at the age of 18. Lythie moved to Norfolk and later to New York where he retired from the Edgemont Union Free School District at Greenburgh in 1989 as a maintenance foreman.

Lythie became a Master Mason with the Hollywood Lodge No. 92 in the state of New York.

On July 7, 1952, he was joined in holy matrimony to Rosa Joyner (d).  This union did not produce any children; however, they had much love and affection for their nieces and nephews.  Together they cared for Maud Joyner for over 20 years.  The couple were married for 63 years until Rosa's passing in 2015.

Predeceased by four siblings, James, Sally Francis, Elnora and Virginia, Lythie is survived by two sisters, Thelma Kirby and Bernice Lewis; one sister-in-law, Maud Joyner; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  He also leaves behind primary caregivers for the last eleven years, his niece / grandniece, Sharon and Kelsey Callahan.  He also had assistance from his niece, Gwen Jenkins, and his nephews, Wade and Mario Jenkins. Lythie had three devoted home aides, Elizabeth Early, Faye Banks, and Juanita Towns.  All of us helped spoil him just like his wife, Rosa!

"Uncle Bee" was beloved as a father figure by his nieces, nephews and members of his community.  His most notable quality was friendliness. Proverbs 17:17 states, "a friend loveth at all times".  It did not matter who, what, when, where, or how if a person was in his presence, Uncle Bee would acknowledge them and start talking. His warm spirit and unforgettable presence will forever be missed.

Acts of Kindness information:

All acts of kindness may be mailed to

Attention: Kelsey Callahan

Novcreations, LLC

110 Coliseum Crossing #5123

Hampton, Virginia 23666

A funeral service will be held 12 Noon, Thursday, February 29, 2024 at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel, 1601-27th St, Newport News, VA. Entombment will follow in Hampton Memorial Gardens.