It is with sorrow and gratitude that we mark the passing of Burgess G. Newsom of Lyman, SC — sorrow at the loss, gratitude for the life.
A life remembered begins, simply, with the telling.
Burgess held deeply to the Baptist faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
The traditions Burgess loved will continue to hold those he loved.
Burgess Gomez Newsom, 90, of Lyman, South Carolina, passed away April 29, 2026.
He was born to his parents, Robert Jefferson and Fannie Newsom in Kelly, Louisiana, on June 23, 1935. In Kelly, Burgess attended high school where he developed a love for basketball and the outdoors.
Upon his graduation, he joined his late, eldest brother, Howard and family in Dallas, Texas. Soon he returned home to Louisiana where his dad drove him to Monroe so that Burgess could join the Air Force.
He trained in San Antonio, Texas followed by other, specialized training in Biloxi, Mississippi. He was assigned to Mcgee Tyson AFB, near Knoxville, Tennessee. It was there one evening, while on KP duty that a bus load of young women from the local YWCA visited the dining hall. His future wife was among that group. He noticed her through a second set of windows and at that point the pursuit was on.
Burgess married Anna Baird on June 23, 1956, his birthday. Together they were blessed with three sons, Gary L. Newsom who was born in Tennessee in July 1957, Burgess G. Newsom, Jr., and Wendell L. Newsom joined the family in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1959 and 1963, respectively.
Burgess attended Louisiana State University to pursue a degree in Electrical Engineering. Graduating in 1969, he went back to Dallas. After several successful careers and home moves, Burgess and Anna finally landed in Lyman, South Carolina, where they built a beautiful home on the edge of Lake Lyman and where they remained for the past 20 years.
They became members of Taylors First Baptist Church. Burgess was a devout Christian who read his Bible nightly, a loving husband and father. Over the years he engaged in his other passions, basketball, golf, softball, family fishing trips in their RV, and spending time with both immediate and extended families from both clans. In his later years he developed a craft for building miniature church replicas for family members and friends. These homemade reproductions were all cut and assembled by hand from floor to steeple. In total he created 14 of these works of art including one with a western motif modeled after the church in the movie "High Noon" starring Gary Cooper.
Burgess and Anna have five grandchildren, Travis, Brandon, Tara, Alexandria, and William along with three great-grandchildren, Kinsley, Hudson, and Charlotte Mae. He is survived by his wife, Anna; his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as well as his brother, Robert Lindell Newsom. His other siblings, Howard, Alene, and Arvel preceded him and will be waiting to greet him in Heaven.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Taylors First Baptist Church conducted by Dr. Frank Page and Rev. Jerry Long. Burial will follow in Taylors First Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be held 12:45-1:45 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at the church.
The family will be at the home.
Memorials may be made to Taylors Free Medical Clinic, 400 W Main Street, Taylors, South Carolina 29687.
Online condolences may be made to www.thewoodmortuary.com.
