I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge, shall give me that day. 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Deacon Emeritus Linwood "Newdy" Eley as he was affectionately called departed this life at his residence in Waverly, Virginia got his wings, and went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 17, 2024.

He was born May 10, 1944, in Surry County to the late Corteila Eley Newby. Linwood was educated in Surry County Public School before living in New York, NY for several years. When he returned home he became employed at the New Port News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company (now Huntington & Ingalls Industries) for 39 years until his retirement in 2011. After his retirement, he transported children to school for many years, which he enjoyed, until his health began to fail.

Linwood was a family man who loved his wife, children, and his grandkids. He loved people and you could say he never met a stranger. Everywhere he went in his travels, even vacationing, he always saw someone he knew, and if he didn't know them which wasn't often, give him sixty seconds and they would be laughing and talking like old pals.  Linwood was kind and generous, full of fun and affection for his family, church family, and people in general. That is the kind of person he was.

Linwood was a Dallas Cowboys fan, and he loved to cook and grill out. He diligently served on the LBC Deacon Board for 41 years until his health began to decline and he was then honored with Emeritus Status. He loved the Lord and he loved to sing his praises. His singing ministry included the LBC Male Chorus and Senior Choir, The New Community Male Chorus, the Combined Voices of Zion and the play, The Old Ship of Zion, The Kings Travelers, The Abyssinian Baptist Choir in New York, New York, and the Surry Mass Choir to name a few.

During his younger years, Linwood was a Sunday School teacher, and a dynamic Boy Scout Leader for many years, taking his troops camping, fishing, etc. He loved deep sea fishing with the fellas. For many years he found pleasure in loading up his van on Friday Nights and taking children and adults in the community who did not have transportation to the games and events at Central High School in Stony Creek and surrounding areas.

Linwood was reared in Surry County by his maternal grandparents the late Timothy and Gertie Eley. He was preceded in death by his sons, Pernell Davis, Kim O'Brian, and Linwood Jr.; his mother Coteila Eley Newby; and brothers. Darnell, Haywood, and Pernell Newby.

Linwood leaves to treasure his fond memories his loving wife he called "Sweetie" for 49 years Reverend Sheron Eley; four daughters, Jackie Williams (Marvin) of Smithfield, VA, Sherri Grier (Jymain) and Dikeita Williams (Michael) both of Chester, VA and Tuwanda Crenshaw of Richmond, VA; two sons, James Brown Jr. (Lana) Ellicott City, MD, Kenneth Brown (Tajuan) Laurel, MD; one sister, Virginia Louise Savage, North Carolina; five brothers, Albert Newby Sr of Newport News, VA, Doctor Louis Newby (Mary), Larry T. Newby (Jeanette) both of Carrolton, VA, Wesley L. Newby (Patsy) of Newport News, and Adolph C. Newby of Carrolton, VA; special thanks to sister and brother-in-law, Shirley C. Eley (Johnnie) Prince George, VA,  and a devoted sister-in-law Nancy C. King (Harold) of Waverly, VA, and a devoted brother-in-law Rev. Dr. Marvin W. Charity of Hopewell, VA; nineteen grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren, two god-children, Destiny Giffen and Minister Samuel Parker(Elizabeth); one aunt, Deaconess Grace Dennis; two devoted friends Evangelist Ella White and Bishops Garland and Wendy Chambliss; devoted neighbors, Andrew Harris, Deacon James and Ruth King, Elder Terrence and First Lady Tanisha Green, Ronell and Rose Urquhart, many cousins, relatives and friends and a host of devoted nieces and nephews.

Public Viewing will be from 12Noon - 5:00pm Monday, August 26, 2024, at Peace Funeral Home, 237 Railroad Avenue, Waverly, Virginia.

Celebration of Life Service will be 1:00PM Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at Liberty Baptist Church, 319 Railroad Avenue, Waverly, Virginia, Rev. Bobby Ricks, Pastor and Eulogist, Elder Terrence Green  Sr, Officiating, Empowerment Temple Ministries, Waverly, Virginia.

Please keep the Eley Family uplifted in prayer.