Celebration of Life Mrs. Florence Newton Cobb

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Saturday, May 12, 2018
12:00 PM
Pastor Vivian Hambrick, Presiding
Live River Baptist Church
Processional
Prayer of Comfort..............................Rev. Willie J. Evans
Pastor, Portersville & Givens Grove Baptist Church
Scripture
Old Testament.....................Dr. Dorothy Osgood-Williams
Pastor, Straight of God Church
New Testament.
......................Rev. James Lewis
Pastor, 2nd Bynes Grive Baptist Church
Selection......................Live River & Gordon Grove Choirs
~ Reflections ~
Obituary and Acknowledgements............Dr. Thaddeus Shubert
Tribute....................................Min. Felicia Lambert
Words of Comfort.
...................Dr. Alfred Cason
Pastor, Watkinsville Baptist Church
Recessional
Interment....................................Church Cemetery
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Mr. Malcolm Jenkins Dea. David Skinner
Mr. Melvin Jones Dr. Marvin Newton-West
Dea. Darrell Smith Mr. Richard Washington
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Deacons of Watkinsville Baptist Church
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Staff of Lena's Lullaby
Class of 1966
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Progressive Ladies Social Club
Watkinsville Baptist Church Choir
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A wife, a mother, a grandma too,
This is the legacy we have from you.
You taught us love and how to fight,
You gave us strength, you gave us might.
A stronger person would be hard to find,
And in your heart, you were always kind.
You fought for us all in one way or another,
Not just as a wife not just as a mother.
For all of us you gave your best,
Now the time has come for you to rest.
So go in peace, you've earned your sleep,
Your love in our hearts, we'll eternally keep
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The family wishes to extend their most sincere gratitude for all acts of kindness shown to
them during the passing of their loved one. May God continue to bless each of you.
Keep them in your prayers as they continue to pray for you.
Services Entrusted To
Kinsey & Walton Funeral Home
3618 Peach Orchard Road
Augusta, Georgia 30906
(706) 790-8858


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Celebration of Life
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June 28, 1948 - May 7, 2018
Saturday, May 12, 2018
12:00 PM
Watkinsville Baptist Church
1681 Georgia Highway 24W
Waynesboro, GA 30830
Pastor, Dr. Alfred Cason
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Proverbs 31: 10 and 25-31
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. She is
clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks
with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the
affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise
and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble
things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but
a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands
have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Florence Newton Cobb was the second child born to Lena Mae Kelly on June 28,
1948 in Burke County. Fler mother reared she and her sister, Freddie Mae Evans,
to be God-fearing women who knew the value of family and to walk in dignity
and grace. For all who encountered, both Florence and Freddie, they can attest
to this being true. From the onset, Florence and her mother shared a strong
bond, so much so that as an adult wherever she moved, her mother moved
nearby. They both eventually settled in homes across the street from each
other on Ninth Street. She was fortunate to have her mother, sister and her
fathers, Essaw Kelly and Shelley Coleman as a part of her life, all of who have
preceded her in death.
At an early age, she committed her life to Christ and became a member of the
Watkinsville Baptist Church more than 50 years ago. During her tenure, she
has been the church secretary, member of the church choir, served as
missionary and supported countless committees and events. Without a doubt,
she loved God and loved her church family. She understood what it meant to
work in ministry and not just sit in church membership.
Other than her unwavering faith, the most important thing in her life was her
family. Early in life, Florence wed Carlos Mack Newton, Sr. and to this union
seven children, five girls and two boys, were born whom she adored. As you
can imagine, raising seven children all within a year or two apart was a
daunting task. Some made it easier than others, but she never missed a beat
and did whatever it took to make sure that each of them was well cared for. If
we could hear her voice today she would say, "All of my children are different.
They have different things they are good at and things that they could do
better, but I love them all." That unconditional love of a mother is unmatched
by anything except God's grace and mercy.
Florence not only cared for her children with such fierceness, but countless
other children in the Pecan Orchard and throughout the community. On any
given day, you could find neighboring kids at the house either eating, playing
games or just hanging out for some sage wisdom. She was a natural nurturer
and because of her kind and gentle way with everyone, people were
automatically drawn to her. In 1999, she decided to build upon her knack of
caring for and teaching younger children and started a business. She opened
and was the Director of her own childcare center named after her mother, Lena
's Lullaby. Through this venture, she has cared for hundreds of children many
who are adults themselves now and have their children enrolled at the
childcare center. Her smile, infectious laugh and sense of safety that she
offered families have allowed her to have a thriving business for over 17 years.
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In addition to these things, Florence was very civic minded. She was
intentional about being an active member in the community in a variety
of ways. She contributed her service for many years to the Burke County
Black Coalition, where she served as President, Secretary and the Director
of The Miss Black Burke County Pageant. The Burke County Black
Coalition had as its goal to change the mind set and policies of the
community and she was on board to have a voice in support of creating
better opportunities for people of color in Burke County. Her civic
involvement also included several leadership roles in the Progressive
Ladies Social Club, Debutante/Debonair Society Ball, and the Watkinsville
Baptist Church.
On September 6, 2001, Florence was joined in matrimony to Mr. Maxie
Lee Cobb. They have been married 16 years and had a wonderful
relationship. Maxie served as a devoted husband and companion to
Florence who stood by her side in all things. What they shared was
quiet, yet a strong bond. Maxie loved Florence with all his heart and it
showed in how he cared for her over the years. Between the two of
them, they have raised and cared for over 14 children, both biological and
adopted.
If there was one thing that she would have wanted you all to remember
about her life is that she was committed to loving God and his people.
She loved to smile, laugh and enjoyed life with her family and friends.
There could be hundreds of people that could speak to her generosity,
selflessness, and over all good nature. There could be hundreds more
that could tell you how she has added value to lives. She loved people
and expected nothing in return. She was a beautiful person inside and
out and her life echoes the message that in all things, we should walk in
love.
She leaves to carry on her legacy, a loving and devoted husband, Maxie
Lee Cobb of Waynesboro, GA; one brother, John W. Coleman of Augusta,
GA; seven children, Angela Thomas, Minister Felicia Lambert, and Rev.
Carlos M. (Angelina) Newton, Jr. all of Waynesboro Georgia; Tammila
Newton and Rev. Daren K. (Marilyn) Newton, Sr. of Augusta, Georgia; Dr.
Keshier (Cedric) Smikle of Covington, Georgia; Karen T. Newton of
Decatur, Georgia; seven step children Lisa (Gary) Mitchell Waynesboro,
Paquita Cobb, Newnan, Georgia, Keisha Hughes of Swainsboro, GA, Keith
(Keisha) Hughes of Chicago, IL, Chadrick (Keisha) Cobb of Martinez, GA,
Christopher (Penny) Cobb of Girard, GA, Lula Brown of Statesboro, GA;
four of her sisters' children, Dr. Darrell (Stephanie) Evans of Griffin, GA,
Willie Mae Evans, Deontray Evans and Juliet Evans, all of Waynesboro,
GA; two adopted sisters and brothers, Dea. Charles and Mary Bennett
and Dea. Earnest and Marva Sapp; fifteen grandchildren, three great-
grandchildren, and a plethora of nieces, nephews and other relatives,