Charlene Newton

On August 22, 1941 Riddie and Elizabeth McShane welcomed their third child and first daughter into the world and named her Charlene. The name Charlene means "bold" and "independent" and it would be these two characteristics which would help mold Charlene's life. Charlene believed a better life awaited her in Illinois and she left Webb, MS, with her five small children and headed to Freeport, Illinois where her Uncle Robert and his wife Virginia McShane welcomed her with opened arms into their home. She lived with them while she looked for a job and as fate would have it, she was hired at Micro Switch, where she was employed 25 years before retiring. After earning enough money, independent Charlene moved her five children to the West End Projects where they lived for many years. On April 26, 1974, Charlene married Boston Newton, who for more than 41 years was a loving and devoted husband to her. They celebrated a union which was not broken by man but, by God. It was on Saturday, November, 21, 2015, when Charlene heard the Savior calling her to come up a little higher when she answered the call and stepped out of her physical body which ached from the pains and cares of this life and took on a body that could not be touched by the ailments of this world. Charlene departed this life knowing that without God she could do nothing, but with God she could do all things. It was her unwavering faith in Christ that allowed her to go through her illness never doubting that God would bring her out alright and that he did. She was preceded in death by her parents, Riddie and Elizabeth McShane, two sisters, Ruth Jenkins and Mary Whitehead, two brothers, Paul and Riddie McShane Jr. a grandson, Romero Hardy, and a brother-n-law Jerry Newton. She leaves to celebrate the memory of her life, her loving and devoted husband of 41 years, Mr. Boston Newton, five children, Robert (Stephanie) McShane, (Freeport, IL), Eddie Hardy (Sierra Vista, AZ), Bobbie Hardy (Memphis, TN), Patricia (Michael) Shaw (Statesboro, GA), and Tony Hardy (Mississippi). Six stepchildren, Lucy (Donnie) Maupin, Dianna Newton, Cassandra Jamison, Lucinda Lenoir, Boston Newton III, Chevron Newton, all of Freeport, IL. Six brothers, Elijah (Emily) McShane, (Webb, MS), Henry McShane, Cornelius (Betty) McShane of Freeport, Daniel McShane, (Memphis, TN), Job (Kelly) McShane (Enid, MS), and Lloyd McShane (Dallas, TX). Five sister-n-laws, Eola McClellan, Everlyn (Ezell) Jackson, Lucy (Ronnie) Bush, Rosa Brown, and Lola Newton all of Freeport, IL. Five brother-n-laws, Emmanuel Newton, Sam (Jackie) Newton, David Newton, and Earl Newton, all of Freeport, IL, and Charlie (Gwen) Newton of Tennessee. Her memory will be etched in the minds of her 34 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. The Celebration of Life Services for Charlene Newton will be held Saturday, November 28, 1 p.m. New Jerusalem COGIC, Supt. Ezell Jackson Sr. Officiant, 4 E Iroquois Street, Freeport, IL. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. until 12:45 P.M. Final arrangements have been entrusted to Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home. Please sign Charlene's guestbook and share a memory at www.burketubbs.com.