Bessie Estelle Newton Haynes

Bessie Estelle Newton Haynes, passed away August 21, 2014, In February, Bessie celebrated 100 years of life surrounded by her beloved family and friends. Bessie loved to gather extended family around the dinner table and at picnics in her back yard. Her family will miss her graciousness, tenacity and wise quick wit, and her unconditional love and open mindedness.

Born to the late William Leon Newton, Sr. and Lillian Maye Gatling Newton, and two sisters, the late Lillian Newton Schmitt and Mildred (Jean) Newton Sellers in Portsmouth, VA. Four brothers and one sister were born to her step-mother, Lula Early Gatling Newton: Richard Newton, William Newton, James Newton, Lula (Lu) Maye Newton Hamilton and her surviving brother, Howard Newton.

A 1930 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth, VA and business college, Bessie married George Edward Haynes Sr. in 1936, an artist who worked in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Bessie and Edward would move to Richmond, VA in 1962 where Edward would later pass away in 1995. Bessie was a devoted mother to the late Mary Ellen Haynes Whited and the late George Edward Haynes, Jr.

Bessie is survived by her grandchildren: Anne Gatling Haynes of Boston, MA, Katherine Haynes Nickel of Los Angeles, CA, Sara Haynes Scippa of Tiburon, CA and Edward Dean Whited of Mechanicsville, VA; great-granddaughters Michaela and Elizabeth Whited; daughter-in-law, Maria Notar Haynes, of Lexington, MA; and brother Howard Owen Newton of Arlington, TX. She is survived by several extremely close nieces and nephews, brothers- and sisters-in law, as well as friends and neighbors who loved her dearly.

A celebration of Bessie’s life will take place at The Hermitage – in the Chapel

1600 Westwood Avenue, Richmond on Saturday, September 27 at 1:00pm.