Mrs. Anna Newman

Anna Ree was born in Shellman, Georgia on May 26, 1922 to the late Love and Lassie Dawson. She was their only child. The family later moved to Chicago, Illinois. From very early in her childhood Anna loved to dance and that love led her to Sadie Bruce Studio, where she learned the art of tap dancing. After graduating from DuSable High School where she was an acrobat and member of the well known Hi-Jinks musical review that drew an audience from all of Chicago, she attended beauty school and became a licensed beautician. Anna met and fell in love with William Newman. They married on May 24,1941. From that union were born twelve children: Patricia, Joe Winston, Alvin Jerry, Sandra, Gregory William, Emmanuel Paul, Lydia, Debra, Dyanna, Daniel Anthony, Deléya Denise, and Donald Mark. A full house didn’t prevent them from claiming another “son”: Richard Stennis who was at the house from sunrise to sunset almost every day and, although not biological, loved nonetheless Anna and William both loved a challenge, refusing to be beaten or give up until their goals had been accomplished. In fact, with William supporting the family by working long hours as both a full-time Chicago police officer and U.S. Postal Worker, Anna became the handyman around the house. When something went awry, Anna would study the task, figure it out, and fix it, from broken picture frames to busted table legs. She even rewired lamps… Thankfully, nothing ever exploded. Not just an amateur electrician, Anna enjoyed learning many different skills and putting them to use. Over the years, she took up pottery and upholstery and, as a lover of fashion, she even learned to sew by taking night classes at Dunbar High School. As a seamstress, she even used her talents to design and construct her own hats to match some of her jazzy outfits. Never could it be said that Anna Ree wasn’t fashionable. After studying the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses, Anna symbolized her dedication to Jehovah by water baptism in 1950. She worked tirelessly for Jehovah, volunteering at assemblies and conventions, serving as a regular pioneer, opening her home to traveling overseers and visiting speakers, and sharing in the joy of assisting many Bible students to progress to baptism. Knowing that man cannot live on bread alone, she also spent countless hours at the assembly hall once located on 79th and Ashland. Faithfully, she would travel there every Friday morning to bake 40 cakes for that weekend’s circuit assembly and make lunch for everyone who volunteered that day. She also enjoyed having the book study at her house every week. Once a month the group had a "treat night" where each family brought a dish to enjoy after the study was over. Anna's favorite ice cream was black walnut and she bought it by the five gallon bucket to make sure there was always enough for the group and anyone who would pop in after their book study. The group always had the best time together, especially if a playoff game happened to fall on treat night during the Chicago Bulls’ hay day. Her hospitality was enjoyed by many, from her book study group to her family and friends. Generous and caring, Anna ensured that anyone who visited was met with a warm welcome and an offer of refreshments. Many have memories of enjoying some of the peanuts she kept on hand as a favorite snack or joining her while she watched an old movie (where they were met with a hearty ‘shhh’ if they talked over the film). She was an excellent cook and everyone especially loved her rum pound cake. In the last few months of her life, Jehovah provided Anna with some of the best CNAs and caregivers she could have possibly had. Ambra, Ariana, Ashley, Latanya, Lisa, Lora, Nakeda, Princess, Sheena, and Sheila, the family thanks you. Anna Ree Newman fell asleep in death on Thursday, December 15, 2022. She was preceded in death by her husband, William, her sons Joe, Gregory, Daniel, Donald, and her daughter Lydia. In addition to her children, Patricia Williams, Alvin, Sandra (Alfonso) Johnson, Emmanuel (Cinda), Dyanna, and Deléya Byrd, she is survived by 18 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren who will miss her dearly.

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Mrs. Anna Newman

May 26, 1922 - December 15, 2022