On a cold wintry December day in Murfreesboro, TN, it was warm in the Newsom household because the proud parents, John M. and Jessie Newsom, and sister Drew Helen welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Susie May Newsom.
Susie grew up in Murfreesboro and attended school there until the age of 14. Her father was an African Methodist Episcopal (AME) minister in Murfreesboro. He later was assigned to lead a church in Lexington, TN. Susie attended Montgomery High School in Lexington from where she graduated.
Susie’s father served as pastor in Pleasureville, KY. It was in Paducah where Susie graduated from Western Kentucky College in 1936; she pursued studies in pre-nursing and home economics. Her love for people inspired her to become a nurse, a profession from which she would later retire. She studied nursing at Riverside Hospital. She attended the National Baptist Missionary Training School of the American Baptist College in Nashville. It was at the American Baptist College where she was honored with a doctorate degree.
A published biography entitled Born to Be a Missionary chronicles Susie McClure’s lifetime of tireless contributions and achievements. Susie was known for her missionary work throughout the U.S., Africa, and several other continents. She was very active with the Women’s Auxiliary of the Stone River District Association, the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A. Women’s Auxiliary, the Baptist World Alliance, to only name a few of her affiliations. She was involved in numerous charities and served on the board of the Phyllis Wheatley Homes, and several other local and state boards. Susie was a long-standing member of the Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church.
Susie was preceded in death by her husband Joe McClure, two step-sons Howard and Cecil McClure, parents, one sister, and four brothers. After living a long life of caring for and giving to others, she transitioned to her heavenly home on Wednesday evening, February 15, 2023.
Surviving relatives are one niece Rebecca Lytle Hall (Anthony); a devoted great niece Thelma Sanders-Hunter (Jimmy); three great nieces Constance Jones, Cathy Carter, and Sharon Corder; four great nephews Dwayne Cole, Derrick Cole, Charles Carter, Clarence Carter, and a host of four generations of great nieces and nephews; two step granddaughters Cynthia Simone and Carol McClure; five step great grandchildren, and five step great great grandchildren; cousin Reverend Dr. William (Ora) Easley; one godson, Conrad Douglas; devoted neighbors Joan Eason and Stephen Richey, Jr.; friends William Crimm, Elaine Warren, Rosie Wilson, Reverend and Mrs. Edward Sanders, and Reverend Dr. and Mrs. Forest Harris.
Mrs. McClure had many, many friends and other family members. To know her was to love her!
Many called her Mom and Aunt out of endearment. She will be solely missed.
SPECIAL NOTE: It was the directive of Mrs. Susie McClure to have no funeral services. The family appreciates your calls, prayers, and other acts of kindness expressed.
