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Former Friendswood mayor Newman dies
By Bronwyn Turner
Correspondent
Published September 12, 2009
FRIENDSWOOD — Evelyn B. Newman, former Friendswood mayor known as a determined soldier in community service and mission projects, died Tuesday. She was 81 and had lived in Friendswood 43 years.
She impacted many in the community with her tenacious work ethic and equally steadfast compassion.
“Having Evelyn on your side was a big plus,” Pat Hallisey, former League City mayor and former executive director of the Galveston County Beach and Parks Board, said. “I think that first and foremost, Evelyn Newman was a lady; her demeanor was kind, caring, dignified and extremely productive.”
Newman, who grew up in Houston, moved to Friendswood in 1966 and set to work helping in the community, her family noted. She volunteered in local schools, taught Sunday school at First Baptist Church and was active in church mission programs.
She was an owner and founder of Century 21 K.E.Y. Realtors, and president of the Friendswood chamber of commerce for two years. She also was active in the Friendswood Historical Society and Rotary Club.
“She was just always a wonderful lady to work with,” said Carol Jones, current president of the Friendswood Chamber of Commerce. She worked alongside Newman in the Historical Society, Rotary Club and a variety of community events.
“She was just very strong-willed,” Jones said. “Evelyn Newman did not know what ‘No’ was.”
Newman was elected to the city council of Friends-wood in 1982 and served for 10 years before being elected mayor. She held that post for five years.
“I think she’ll be remembered by everyone as a wonderful community leader,” said Mel Austin, who served on the city council during her tenure as mayor.
In 2006, the city of Friendswood opened the Evelyn B. Newman Amphitheater in Centennial Park in her honor. The facility hosts fine arts productions and community events.
Newman worked with a church in Montana in a mission project among Crow Indians and with Rotary Club projects establishing water wells and irrigation systems in Bolivia and Nicaragua.
Newman, mother of four (her husband was the late Cletus “Chris” Newman), grandmother and great-grandmother, will be remembered in services 10 a.m. today at First Baptist Church of Friendswood.
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Details to note
In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations in Evelyn Newman’s name to one of the following:
• City of Friendswood Library, 416 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, TX 77546
• Friendswood EMS and Fire Department, 1000 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, TX 77546
• Centennial Park Fund, 910 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, TX 77546
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