Our Classmate, Newell Edenfield, attended Grady's Class of 1965 50th Reunion and eveyone there so enjoyed visiting with Newell. His strong spirit, the love of his family and friends, sustained him during his battle against cancer. We are all going to miss him, and hope that you will take a moment to visit the IN MEMORY section of our class creator website and enter your memories of Newell.
EDENFIELD, Jr., Newell Newell Edenfield, Jr, 68 of Lawrenceville, Georgia passed away at his home, surrounded by his adoring family, on March 3, 2016 after a courageous battle with cancer. He spent his last weeks comforted by his family, his friends and his devoted dog, Ace, who was always by his side. An Atlanta native, Newell was born September 7, 1947 to Judge Newell Edenfield and Theresa Pope Edenfield. The second child born of six Edenfield children, Newell was the first son and his father's namesake. He is survived by: his two children, Allyson Edenfield Everett (Jason), Newell Edenfield III (Stephanie); four grandchildren, Hudson Everett, Harper Everett, Owen Edenfield, and Mason Edenfield; his lifelong love and mother to his children, Linda Mitchell Edenfield; and four siblings, Nancy Spottswood Vice (Tom), Bruce McCord Edenfield (Maryanna), Stephen Meldrim Edenfield, and David Lamar Edenfield (Emily). Newell was preceded in death by his brother, James Rankin Edenfield. He attended Spring Street Elementary School and later graduated from Henry Grady High School in 1965. He went on to North Georgia College before graduating with an Economics degree from the
University of Georgia in 1969. He then began his Masters' Degree in Business at Georgia State University and later joined the
Army as a Second Lieutenant. His first job as a teenager was polishing doorknobs at the Imperial Hotel in Atlanta. After college he went to work for Fulton National Bank, where he entered the world of banking and finance. From the world of banking he went to the world of UPS, where he joined their training program, started out driving a UPS truck and eventually went on to become a Comptroller. While at UPS, his family moved from Atlanta to Alabaster, Alabama and then on to Minneapolis, Minnesota. After a stint as the CFO of a trucking company, he returned to Bank South, where he earned a series of promotions that took him to Columbus, GA and later to Gwinnett County, GA where he became President of Bank South of Gwinnett. During his time at Bank South, he was involved in the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce and in 1990 was the Campaign Chairman for the United Way of Gwinnett. Newell was just too opinionated for the corporate world and in late 1990 he chose to leave banking to begin his own company, Southeastern Mortgage and Financial Services, Inc. He put his heart and soul into this new business until he sold it to Quantum National Bank. He retired at age 62 and spent much of his time relaxing by his pool, spending time with his friends and getting to know his 4 grandchildren. Newell had a life-long interest in the Civil War and WWII, reading countless books on both subjects. Golf became one of his passions at an early age and he enjoyed many years on the links at Ansley Golf Club and various courses all over the state. Newell was a Southerner through and through....loving: boiled peanuts, Georgia Bulldogs, bacon, Southern Comfort, Coca-Cola, the Cyclorama in Grant Park, vacations in St. Simon's Island, Fort Frederica and the Waffle House. He was always passionate, opinionated and generous. He cared deeply about his friends, many of whom he had known since his years growing up in Ansley Park. He had an infectious laugh and an intellectual sense of humor. Services will be held on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at 11:00am at Patterson's, Oglethorpe Hill, located at 4550 Peachtree Road, Brookhaven. The family will receive visitors at 10:00 am that morning. In lieu of flowers, they would love for you to make a donation to
www.gloryhopelife.org , an organization that provides financial assistance to those battling cancer.
.jpg)
Carolyn Johnson (Faglier)
Sorry to hear of Newell's death. I did not know him personally but sending my thoughts and prayers to everyone that did and to his family. There were so many of our classmates that I never really knew unfortunately.
Susan Guggenheim (Renas)
Sorry to hear of Newell's passing and even though I did not get to know him,my thoughts and prayers go out to his family.Mab Francis
Newell was a lot of fun to be with. I remember spending the night at his house when we were probably in the later elementary school years. I lived in a poor neighborhood and I was awestruck by his gigantic house with the wide stairs that lead to the second floor. In the morning he asked me if I wanted poached eggs for breakfast and he laughed and laughed because I didn't know what they were. I have fond memories of Newell and it was great to re-connect with him at the reunion. It is sad that he didn't get to have more years with his grankids.
Brita Molkner (Levy)
I am so sorry to hear about Newell. I was happy to see him at the closing on the sale of our house in 1998.. I'm sending my condolences to all of our classmates who were close to him and to our class as a whole.
Bootsie Allen (Dominick)
We were so sad to hear about Newell...Our deepest sympathy is with his family..Newell was such a fun person and will be missed by many...so glad he was at the reunion...Barbara Blanton (McIntire)
It's always sad to hear of the passing of a classmate. My prayer is that the God of all comfort will bring peace and comfort to this sweet family.
Alvin Townley Jr
"Newell was a Southerner through and through....loving: boiled peanuts, Georgia Bulldogs, bacon, Southern Comfort, Coca-Cola, the Cyclorama in Grant Park, vacations in St. Simon's Island, Fort Frederica and the Waffle House" When I saw this line in the Atlanta Journal this moring, it brought back so many memories of growing up as an "Atlantan" I expect that Newell may have watched Gone With The Wind on more than one occasion as well.
An unexpected encounter with Newell happened one afternoon on Forsyth Street in Downtown Atlanta. I think it was the 1980's. He was loading a hand truck with various sized cardboard boxes from the back of a UPS Truck. Dressed in his Brown UPS Uniform, he was quick to let me know that even as an accountant for UPS, he had to learn the system including driving the truck and delivering the packages. I remember him saying that he had a huge amount of respect for the drivers at UPS because it was really hard work and that each night when he went home he was really sore...every muscle was hurting. We laughed and talked about his brother Burce who is a Fraternity Brother of mine from UGA and about my wife, Holly, who had grown up with Newell at Saint Mark Methodist Church.
I'll always treasure that chance encounter with Newell and still remember that smile and winning personality that attracted his many friends.
David Libman
I read Newell's obituary in the AJC this morning and it was quite a record of personal and career achievement. Unfortunately for me I wasn't in Newell's immediate circle of friends but I did know him from several classes throughout our time at Grady. I remember his sense of humor especially. I also read in the obituary that he was very fond of vacations at St. Simons Island and Fort Frederica National Monument there particularly. As it turns out I have spent many weeks at St. Simons myself, mostly working on projects for the National Park Service at Fort Frederica. I was there for several days 3 weeks ago. So we had something in common besides Grady and I didn't know it until just a few minutes ago. My sincere condolences to his close friends from Grady and to his family.
Gretchen Von Muller (Collins)
What a life well-lived, filled with family, fun and much accomplishment. Deepest sympathy and much comfort go out to his greiving familiy...rest in peace.
Richard Bressler
It's true that old friends are best friends. We didn't see each other much but when we did run into one another it was always a pleasure. I guess it was because everybody considerd Newell a great guy and a good friend. I'll miss ya Duke.