Johnnye B. Wright-Newman was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on September 28th1934 to John Wright and Dora Tatum. She was an only child & was raised by her father and grandmother. Growing up she attended Ms. Safronia’s in home kindergarten, East End School, & Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School where she graduated in 1952.
After graduating from Dunbar, Ms. Johnnye trained to be a medical technician. She held several medical technician related positions throughout her career-including a position at Madigan Army Medical Center. Her career work was with Nalley Valley as a Senior Quality Assurance Technician.
Johnnye raised her two children, Kenneth & Yolanda, in Chicago, Illinois. In 1975 she met & married Benjamin (Benny) Newman and they moved to Tacoma, WA. The Newmans were charter members of Shiloh Baptist Church and served the church community in many ways over the years.
GG enjoyed taking cruises and visited many countries over the years including the Caribbean, Amsterdam, Denmark, and the Netherlands. In her free time, Granny enjoyed shopping and cooking for friends and family. She often spent time with friends both in person & over the phone. She was a member of the Caballeros club, Over 40’s Review, and later enjoyed monthly lunches with her friends in the Birthday club. GG was known for her wit and sense of fashion, but she was happiest when hosting a house full of family and friends during the holidays.
After retiring in 1998, Gram became an active volunteer with Civitan International, she dedicated many years to volunteer projects focused on improving the lives of others throughout the city of Tacoma.
Granny is preceded in death by her parents, John Wright & Dora Tatum; daughter, Yolanda Faye Prevot; husband, Benjamin Newman, and nieces Marion Prevot & Samantha Prevot.
She leaves behind to cherish her memory her Son, Kenneth T. Carter (Jane); Grandsons, Jon Stewart (Michelle), Imaan Carter, and Karl Banks (Leilani); Granddaughter, Olivia Carter; Nephew, Gary Prevot; Granddaughter, Maryann French; Surrogate Daughters, Atchra Turner (Tony) & Natalie Price (Dennis Sr.); Goddaughters, Shawna Jones & Minnie Jackson, and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, godchildren, and dearly loved friends.
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Johnnye B was a great friend to my mother Faye Allen . Faye is not feeling well right now so I Sherrye Allen her daughter is writing this note on her behalf ❤️
YOU WILL BE TRULY,love you
Ms. Johnny will truly be missed
She brought a lot of joy and happiness to me and others.
Rest in peace, I will miss you.
Ms. Johnnye was a guiding force in our Civitan group. We could always rely on her wisdom and direction in allocating our resources and efforts. And we very much enjoyed her laughter and the good fun she provided. I do and will miss her very much but have so many good memories of her. A lovely and wise woman.