Prayer Focus – Today, let’s all pray we can do our part to make our world a little better today.

A Verse for Today

“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.'”

Proverbs 31:28-29 (NIV)

Read the Bible in 2026

• May 9
• Leviticus 19-21

Obituary

Albert Davis ” Doodle” Newman, Jr.

August 17, 1943 – May 7, 2026

Albert Davis Newman, Jr., also known as “Al” or “Doodle”, a resident of Kentwood, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, May 7, 2026. He was born August 17, 1943, in McComb, Mississippi, and was 82 years old.

Al attended Kentwood High School and married Joan “Meme” Irwin, on August 30, 1963. He retired after 42 years of dedicated service with the United States Postal Service as a rural letter carrier. Alongside his wife, Joan, he owned and operated Kentwood Raceway and Newman Blueberry Farm for many years.

Al was a faithful member of Taylor Creek Baptist Church and later devoted much of his time volunteering with the Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief ministry. He loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed spending time working with his sawmill in recent years.

Above all, Al dearly loved his family. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought him immense joy, and they truly were the center of his world.

He is survived by his sister, Carolyn Newman Kennedy and husband Tommy; daughter, Leslie Newman Hoffstadt and husband Henry John Hoffstadt; son, Reese Deven Newman and wife Lynda Edwards Newman; daughter, Tanya Newman McNabb and husband Benny Wess McNabb; grandchildren, Brittany Blackledge and husband Todd, Hank Hoffstadt and wife Caitlin, Dillon McNabb and wife Shea, Jacob Newman and wife Haylea, Kolby McNabb and wife Madison, Taryn Revere and husband Blake, Casey Newman, Shelly Hoffstadt; great-grandchildren, Baylor Newman, McKenzie Newman, Tenley McNabb, Payton McNabb, Sadie Hoffstadt, Adelyn McNabb, and Lincoln McNabb; nephew, T. L. Kennedy and wife Georgiana; great-nephew, Dalton Kennedy; and great-niece, Raleigh Kennedy.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joan Irwin Newman; mother, Mae Dell Frazier Newman; and father, Albert Davis Newman, Sr.

Visitation will be held at Taylor Creek Baptist Church from 9:00 a.m. until religious services at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 11, 2026. Services will be conducted by Dr. Danny Smith. Interment will follow at New Zion Cemetery.

McKneely Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Taylor Creek Baptist Church Playground Fund.

An online guestbook is available at the funeral home website.

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Tellers named for 2026 SBC Annual Meeting

By BP Staff, posted May 8, 2026

ORLANDO (BP) – Southern Baptist Convention President Clint Pressley has named the roster of tellers to count votes at the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting June 9-10. Pressley named David Haynes, senior pastor of First Baptist Church Senatobia, Miss., to lead the team. Haynes and his wife April served as tellers at last year’s meeting in Dallas.

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Additional Scripture

This Scripture is sometimes called. “God’s Phone Number”.

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” 

Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV)

Since I was a young child I have enjoyed seeing families gather at church with MOTHERS on this special Sunday to honor them. I hope your church is full of families tomorrow. I know the mothers will be so blessed to have their families with them tomorrow.

Anna Lee