Pastor Shonta Omaile Newson

Statesboro, Georgia Pastor Shonta “Shun” Omaile Newson, age 51, answered the Lord’s call home on Saturday, August 5, 2023, in Statesboro, Georgia. Shonta (Shun) Omaile Newson was born on Monday, January 30, 1972, to Robert Joe Newson and Dorothy Andrews in Newnan, Georgia. In an instance, he answered the Lord’s call home on Saturday, August 5, 2023, in Statesboro, Georgia. He was educated in the public school system of Coweta County and graduated in 1990 from Newnan High School. Shun attained a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and Teaching from Georgia Southern University in 1997. While a student at Georgia Southern, he was an active member of the Afro-American Choir and was a Tutor Counselor with the Upward Bound Program. Additionally, in May 2018, he earned a master’s degree in Christian Education from Liberty University. At an early age, his faith journey began when he joined the Friendship Baptist Church. While residing in Statesboro, Georgia, he joined Agape Worship Center under Bishop Anthony Chavers. Having answered his ministerial call, Shun was licensed as a Minister in 2002 and ordained as an Elder in 2004. At Agape Worship Center, Elder Newson served in many capacities and roles, from the Music Ministry to Executive Team to Ministerial Staff. He served as the youth minister at Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Register, Georgia from 2005 until his installation as Pastor in 2012. He faithfully served until his passing. He also served as the youth minister at Miller Grove Missionary Baptist Church from 2007 until 2020. Pastor Newson began his vocational career first as an Admissions Counselor in the Office of Admission at Georgia Southern University, and later as an Education Specialist in the Education Talent Search Program, a federally funded TRIO Program. During his tenure at Georgia Southern University, he served as the Advisor to Voices In Ministry (VIM) Choir. He additionally held positions with Pineland Mental Health and Necco Foster Agency. Most recently, he was the Community Marketing Representative for CareSource. He is preceded in death by fathers, Robert Joe Newson and Thomas Alton James; paternal grandparents, Robert L. Newson and Annie Lee; and maternal grandparents, W.T. Andrews and Bessie Andrews. Pastor Newson leaves to cherish his memories: his loving and devoted wife, Deidra Reid Newson of Statesboro, GA; two children, Jade and Zachariah Newson both of Statesboro, GA; his mother, Dorothy A. James of Newnan, GA; mother-in- law, Phyllis (Ronald) Campbell; father-in-law, Lepolin Mainer; his siblings, Kenya Shaneke Newson, Shamandra Newson, DeMarcus Newson all of Newnan, GA and Rafael (Raven) James of LaGrange, GA; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Rico (Lisa) Campbell, Tanisha Campbell, Tara King, Derrick (Latrice) Mainer, Lepolin Mainer; nieces and nephews, Keyonta (Mikey) Collazo, LaMarcus Hill, Terrelle Newson, LaDeja Owens, Niya Newson, M’Shanti Newson, MoRaya Newson, Trinity Carriker, Eric Campbell, Isaiah Campbell, Marcus Campbell, Christopher Campbell, Da’Meshia Jinks, Kennedi Lanier, and Taylor Mainer; nine great nieces and nephews; aunts, Ruby Davis, Ernestine (Reverend Joe) Geter, Sallie (Jewell) Glenn, Willene (Willie) Adams, Jackie Carroll, and Ruby James; uncles, Frank (Nereau) Andrews, and Reverend Felton (Fanny) James, a great uncle, Clifford Geter; his godchildren, Ashton McMillan, Mason and Mya Tremble, Aaryn Everett, Aubrey Jackson, Darien Cone, King Shatteen, Jatavia Frink, CJ Williams, LaErica Hutton, and Amber Baldwin; his brothers from another mother, Apostle Antonio (Lady Joi) Thomas and family and Lawrence (Dana) Thompson and family; the members of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, The Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Association and the Concerned Clergy along with a host of other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held on Friday, august 11, 2023, from 6 pm to 8 pm, in the chapel of Hill’s Mortuary, Inc. The funeral service for Pastor Newson, will be held 11 am, Saturday, August 12, 2023, at the Miller Grove Missionary Baptist Church, the Rev. harry J. Tremble, Jr., pastor, Bishop Anthony Chavers, presiding and Apostle Antonio Thomas, as eulogist. A burial will follow in the church cemetery. Final rites have been entrusted to Hill’s Mortuary, Inc.

Pastor Shonta Omaile Newson

January 30, 1972 - August 5, 2023