Mary Mclean Newton

Mary McLean Newton, age 94, passed away Tuesday October 26,2021 at Duke Regional Hospital in Durham ,N.C.  She was born in Maxton,NC on February 22, 1927 to the late Arthur and Charity Agnes McLean.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her former husbands, Ivey Jones Newton (42 years) and George W. Newton(22 years); two brothers: Fulton McLean and Archie McLean;  five sisters: Grayce  McLean, Mildred Thompson, Katie McDonald, Agnes Smith Ray, and Ruth McLean; and a daughter Marilyn Newton Yates.

She is survived by her son, Ivey Lawrence Newton of Durham ,NC;  a son- in- law, Rick Yates of Deland, Fl. ; 4 nieces: Sybil Smith Davis of Nesquehoning,Pa. , Judy McLean Corona (Ben) of Surfside Beach,SC , Donna Newton Mize (Jim) of Robbinsville,NC and Sarah Newton Feldman (Bob) of Durham,NC;  6 nephews:  Jim McLean of N. Mrytle Beach, SC, Bill Newton (Joyce) of Durham,NC,  Wallace Newton (Becky) of Durham,NC,  David Newton of Durham,NC,  John Newton (Mary) of Durham,NC  and Walter Newton (Dennie) of Bahama,NC. and their extended families.

Mary grew up and attended schools in Maxton, Pembroke, and High School in Lumberton,NC.   At an early age she knew that she wanted to be a nurse. She saw a poster in the drug store window that said Uncle Sam Wants You! with a picture of a cadet nurse. She left Lumberton to pursue her dream and help Uncle Sam in the war effort (WW II) and became a cadet nurse at Watts Hospital in Durham,NC. She graduated in 1947 and for 43 years enjoyed her career in nursing.  She was the charge nurse in the newborn nursery the last 38 years of her career at Watts Hospital (now the School of Math and Science) and Durham County Hospital (now Duke Regional) retiring in 1990.

Although nursing was her passion, she loved gardening, American History and putting puzzles together. The family are members of Trinity United Methodist Church in Durham, NC.

A graveside service will be held 2:00PM Monday, November 1, 2021 at Maplewood cemetery, Section 6. Reverend Gray Southern presiding.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 215 N Church St.  Durham, NC  27702  or to   Watts College of Nursing 2828 Croasdaile Rd.  Durham, NC  27705

The Newton family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service.