Martha Newman Mitchell's Obituary
Martha Newman Mitchell, 95, left this world on August 14, 2025, after residing at the Memphis Jewish Home for over nine years. In those years most of her waking hours were spent entertaining and being entertained by her BFF at the MJH, Eugenia Levitch, until we lost Mrs. Levitch last year. Martha wouldn’t have made it this long without the excellent care she received from so many of the MJH staff members and from her eldercare consultant, Rena Rosenberg.
Martha was born on Christmas Eve in 1929 to Murlee Wofford Newman and Grafton Paul Newman.
Following the then-routine progression through Peabody, Snowden and Central, she attended Centre College for her freshman year, then Memphis State University/University of Memphis on and off from 1949 until she graduated in 1980 at the age of 50. She was a member of ADp and a “Dream Girl” of pKA. In 1951, she was named Alternate “Miss Flame” in a contest for and among redheads run by the Memphis Fire Department. She (finally) retired from teaching in the Memphis City School System at the age of 78, after which she continued to volunteer at Shady Grove Elementary, which was conveniently located next door to her residence, for several more years.
Other than the one year spent in Danville, KY, she lived her entire life in Memphis.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Joyce Lee (Newman) Boyett and husband Curtis Alvis Mitchell. She is survived by her daughter Marlee, son Cliff, brother G. Paul Newman (not the famous one) and sister-in-law Cindy Newman, 2 nephews, 1 niece, a grandniece and a grandnephew, and 2 grand dogs.
Donations in Martha’s memory should be made to The Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County, Memphis Jewish Home & Rehab, or Church Health, or to the non-profit organization of your choice.
What’s your fondest memory of Martha?
What’s a lesson you learned from Martha?
Share a story where Martha's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Martha you’ll never forget.
How did Martha make you smile?
