Mary Alice Trammell Newlin, age 85, passed away Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

She was born in Sumner, GA on February12, 1937 to the late Merle Hancock Trammell and Clarence Harold "Bo" Trammell and elder sister to Charlie, Gene, and James Trammell.

Mary Alice married Fred Clark Newlin, Sr. on March 11, 1956.

She was raised in Sumner, GA and graduated valedictorian of her high school class.  Mary Alice grew up in a loving family surrounded by many aunts, uncles, and cousins.  She grew up in a farming family and attended Valdosta State College where she met Fred.  Mary Alice worked for Nabisco as a secretary when first married.

She moved to Richmond Hill from Savannah in 1965 and lived there for 25 years before moving to Jerico Island in Midway in 1989.  Mary Alice resided at Station Exchange Senior Care in Richmond Hill since 2019.

Mary Alice was a loving wife, mother, daughter, and sister.  She helped Fred with his work as a pharmaceutical rep, while raising 4 children.  Mary Alice always had something she was working on, whether sewing, crocheting, cooking, gardening, or letter writing.  Her hands were never idle.  She wrote letters to her parents and Fred's parents every week.  She was quick to learn new things and eagerly learned how to email and navigate technology.  She was a beloved aunt and her many nieces and nephews loved to visit.  Mary Alice was a great cook and no one left her table hungry.  She would always be ready to set one more plate.  Mary Alice served as PTA president and was a member of the Garden Club in Richmond Hill, back when everyone knew everyone in town!  She was well respected and loved by everyone in her community.  She delivered home baked goodies to shut ins and always put the needs of others before her own.  Even the UPS driver loved to stop by, as she would often have treats ready to share!  Mary Alice and Fred always lived on a river and they often fished together.  She often shared their catch with others.

Mary Alice is a decade's long member of First Baptist Church.  She had a lovely singing voice and sang in the choir at the church.  She directed the choir for over 4 decades.  Mary Alice played the piano and selected the songs for Sunday worship and printed and folded the bulletins.  She loved God and served Him with gladness her entire life.  She is well known at FBC for having sung "Oh Holy Night" each Christmas for 50 years in a row.  Someone once said "It won't be Christmas in Richmond Hill until Mrs. Mary Alice sings "Oh Holy Night".  Mary Alice was very active in her church, directing Vacation Bible School and leading missionary groups for youth- "Girls in Action".  She was a supporter of missions, and was very proud when her daughter, Becky, became a missionary in Nigeria and her son, Fred, became a pastor.

Mary Alice began each day with prayer and devotions.  Her Bible was always nearby.  Her life was touched by the love of Jesus and her heart and hands were always ready to show that same love to others.

Mary Alice enjoyed serving others and visited residents in the Midway and Richmond Hill nursing homes each week for over 30 years, singing hymns with residents and delivering bananas.  She always had a smile and encouragement to share.

Mary Alice is survived by her husband, Fred Clark Newlin, Sr.; her four children, Fred Clark Newlin, Jr. (Coie) of West Palm Beach, FL, Becky Faulk (Blair) of Pembroke, GA, David Newlin (Sally) of Richmond Hill, GA, and Cindy Desjardins (Dan) of Madison, WI; brother, James Trammell (Linda) of Sumner, GA; sisters-in-law, Norma Jeanne Trammell (Gene Trammell-Deceased) of Monticello, GA and Faye Bagwell (Charlie Trammell-deceased) of Dothan, AL; grandchildren, Danica Newlin, Bianca Jelf (Jonathan), Wes Faulk (Diana), Jeff Faulk, Anna Ruth Parrish (Steven), Don Faulk (Jessica), Caitlin Desjardins, Tyler Desjardins, Don Watford (Rachel); 15+ Great-Grandchildren; and many Nieces and Nephews.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, January 20, 2023 at Richmond Hill Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 21, 2023 at First Baptist Church Richmond Hill with burial to follow in the First Baptist Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be made to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for Home Missions at First Baptist Church Richmond Hill (FBCRH).