Class of 1916

Birth:  Jul. 28, 1897
Death: Mar. 1, 1989

Parents:
Paul M. Stirewalt
Annie Stirewalt

Spouse:
Wiley Blaine Newsome (1891-1978)

Children:
Wiley Blaine “Diddy” Newsome, Jr.  (1922- 1931)
Geraldine Newsome Brickhouse (1924-2003)

Siblings:
Craig Stirewalt
Cletus R. Stirewalt
Clifford P. Stirewalt

Burial:
Salem Cemetery
Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina, USA

Source/Photo: honeychile, www.findagrave.com, # 28214050.

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The Rowan Record (China Grove, N. C.), October 26, 1917, p. 4.

FAITH

Miss Mary Stirewalt has been elected principal of the school at Whiteville, NC, and has gone there to teach school this winter.

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Salisbury Evening Post (Salisbury, NC) August 28, 1919, p. 2.

ROCKWELL ITEMS

… Miss Mary Stirewalt of Faith has been secured to teach the eighth and ninth grades in the Rockwell High School. Miss Stirewalt is a graduate of Mont Amoena Seminary and we are glad to welcome her to our town.

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Salisbury Evening Post (Salisbury, NC), July 2, 1920, p. 3.

Stirewalt – Newsome.

Wednesday evening at 8 o’clock, June 30, a simple but pretty wedding was solemnized at the home of Mrs. P. M. Stirewalt of Faith when her only daughter, Mary Ada, became the bride of W. Blaine Newsome of Germantown, N. C.

Prior to the ceremony, Rev. H. A. Welker sang, “Because,” accompanied by Miss Marie Davenport of Pineville, N. C.

Amid the soft strains of Traumerie the beautiful and impressive ring ceremony of the Lutheran church was used, Rev. C. P. Fisher officiating.

The bride was beautiful in her wedding gown of white satin and georgette her veil falling from a wreath of forgetmenots. She carried a shower bouquet of sweet peas. The bridesmaids carried elaborate bouquets of pink sweet peas with pink tulle.

The bride is a beautiful and popular daughter of Mrs. P. M. Stirewalt. She is a graduate of the 1916 class of Mont Amoena Seminary, Mt. Pleasant, N. C., and has been a successful teacher in the public schools of the state.

The groom is the son of the late H. W. Newsome, of Germantown, N. D.

Immediately after the wedding about fifty invited guests were served with a salad course and ice cream and cake.

When all had partook to their satisfaction the bride and groom motored to Salisbury where they boarded No. 138 for the capitol city, Washington, to spend their honeymoon.

The many friends of this popular couple wish them success and happiness.

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The Charlotte News (Charlotte, N. C.). July 23, 1920, p. 5.

PINEVILLE ITEMS

… Misses Marie and Bessie Davenport who attended the marriage of their cousin, Miss Mary Stirewalt and Mr Bayne [sic] Newsome, of Salisbury, last week, have returned. The bride is a niece of Mrs. Davenport and has visited here often where her charming personality won her hosts of friends. The groom, Mr. Newsome is the American representative to China, and the young couple sailed for China, their future home, last Tuesday. Miss Marie Davenport played the wedding march at the marriage which was a most brilliant social event.

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Greensboro Daily News (Greensboro, N. C.), July 31, 1931, p. 7.

Letter Tells How Little Boy Lost His Life In China
(Special to Daily News)

Rocky Mount, July 30. – Details of the accident which took the life of Wiley Blane [sic] Newsome, Jr., 9, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Newsome of Shanghai, China, were disclosed in a letter received here today by Mrs. F. M. Davenport, grandmother of the little boy.

While he was playing in the garden of the home of his parents, a flower pot fell upon his head, cutting a gash about an inch in length. It was treated but did not appear serious and apparently was healed within a short time. About a week after the accident his face began drawing and later tetanus developed. He died from the effects of the complications.

His parents, well known here, are connected with a tobacco company in China.

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Greensboro Daily News (Greensboro, N. C.), August 2, 1931, p. 22.

Word Received At Concord Of Death of Newsome Child
(Special to Daily News)

Concord, Aug. 1. – Relatives have received word announcing the death of Wiley Blane [sic] newsome, Jr., nine year old son of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Newsome, of Shanghai, China.

While playing the little fellow fell turning over a flower stand, the flower pot falling onhis head and cutting an inch gash on his forehead. About a week later tetanus developed, every effort was made to save the child’s life, but in vain. He died Wednesday, July 1, about 3 p.m.

Mr. Newsome is connected with the British American Tobacco company, stationed in Shanghai. Mrs. Newsome was formerly Miss Mary Stirewalt, of Faith.

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Source: honeychile, www.findagrave.com, #28216348.

Wiley Blaine “Diddy” Newsome, Jr.

Birth: Jul. 20, 1922, Jigongshan, Henan, China
Death: Jul. 1, 1931, Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China

Diddie was the son of my great-uncle Blaine Newsome. Family history holds that he fell from a porch and suffered a scalp or head wound which became infected, leading to his death. His body was shipped back to the states and family lore revolves around his red curls which seemed to be even longer when the casket was opened than when he died.

I was contacted by another contributor who tells me that he was originally buried in Bubbling Well Road Cemetery, Sec. B, Lot 391, in Shanghai, pursuant to Reports of Deaths of American Citizens Abroad. Apparently, he was disinterred to be brought home.

For me, I imagine an 8 year old boy looking forward to his birthday, but laid low by an unexpected result to his mischievousness, growing sick, and dying in a foreign land. The death of a child is always a sad thing, but the circumstances of Diddie’s death are particularly poignant, shrouded in mystery and dimmed by time.