Carolyn Ruth (Kincaid) Newman

Carolyn Ruth Kincaid Newman, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, teacher, and friend departed from her lifelong home on her Mount Harmony farm for her heavenly one to meet Jesus on February 6th, 2026.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her loving parents William Joseph "W.J." and Margret Ruth Rodgers Kincaid. She is survived by her husband of 54 steadfast years, Ralph Davis "Pete" Newman; children William Davis "David" Newman (Kimberly), Gregory Andrew Newman (April), and Natalie Ruth Newman Waumans (Travis); sister Helen "Marie" Kincaid Morris (Doyle), and brothers-in-law Jim Ernest Newman, Frank "Bige" Newman, and Archie Lewis "Bo" Newman (Vicki).

Her true pride and joy in life was being a Mamaw and Grammy to grandchildren Ashley Michelle (Ricky), Amber Michelle, Natalie Grace, Brooklyn Madison (Ryan), Katelyn Hope, Kaylee Faith, Jacob Andrew, Allie Ruth, and Travis James; and great-grandchildren Ava Jayde, Jayvion Josiah, Ka'Lani Grace, and Blakeleigh Layne. She will also forever be dearly loved by many nieces and nephews, cousins, hundreds of students and fellow educators, and precious friends.

Born during a snow and ice storm in Athens, Tennessee on February 10th, 1951, Carolyn proved to be her own force of nature to reckon with her entire life. She was a spirited child while attending the two-classroom Mount Harmony Grammar Schoolhouse and Ingleside - playing "school" with her little sister Marie, reading books, basketball, and learning piano and the trombone. She loved participating in various clubs like 4-H and philanthropic activities. She began working in 1968 at Kay's Kastles Ice Cream shop, where she met the love of her life, Pete, over extra scoops. A 1969 graduate of McMinn County High School, she paid for her Bachelor of Arts degree in English at Tennessee Wesleyan College by working summers at Athens Stove Works (Stove Foundry).

Carolyn knew from early childhood that she wanted to be a teacher and would go on to impact hundreds of lives over 39 years at Westside Elementary in Athens. She especially loved teaching Tennessee State History, Camp Oo-tah-nee-no-chee trips and including her students in the story as she read aloud "Wayside Stories from WESTSIDE School." Her fellow teachers and staff became much more than coworkers and mentors, but rather a family she treasured for her whole life.

Carolyn also always found purpose in agriculture on her family cattle farm. She loved the land, the arduous work it required, and the meaningful moments that came with it. Her green thumb was evident in every flowerbed and row of crops that she grew. Her absolute favorite thing to do was to spend time sharing her love for the land, animals, and harvest with her children and grandchildren. The farm was not just her home, but her peace.

Her unwavering faith in the Lord was the most important part of her life. A lifelong member, she served her Mount Harmony Baptist Church well as a devoted Sunday School and VBS teacher, organist, and pianist. Carolyn shared her God-given musical talents and her love of learning with multiple generations of families. Through her service, she touched many lives, built lasting friendships within her church community, and humbly edified her Savior until her last breath.

She will always be remembered for her generous heart, steady presence, and the way she made others feel welcome and cared for - no matter what the circumstances may be. She was tremendously loved by all who knew her and never left any doubt of how much she loved everyone in return.

Her legacy lives on in the countless students she taught, the land she cared for, the church she served, and the family and friends who loved her deeply. Our lives are forever blessed by the influence and heart of Carolyn Ruth Kincaid Newman.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at Ziegler Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at the funeral home. Interment will follow at 2:00 PM at McMinn Memory Gardens. Jonathan Pierce, Rev. Kenneth Gardner, and Reverend Stanley Hammonds will be officiating.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dennis Frank and Jeff Newman. Don Moody, Ryan Burger, Jason Johnson, Ricky McConkey, Ronnie McCullough, Matt Newman, and Jonathan Pierce will serve as pallbearers.

If you are unable to attend the visitation or service, you are invited to sign the guest registry at www.zieglerfuneralhome.com.

Ziegler Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of Carolyn Ruth Kincaid Newman.