Dr. Joseph Kershaw Newsom, Sr.

Cheraw, SC

Joseph Kershaw Newsom, MD quietly “slipped the surly bonds of earth” on 24 January, 2022 following a protracted illness.

Dr. Joe was born 2 August 1931 in Kershaw County in the home where his mother’s family had lived for generations. He was the only child of Roger Acra Newsom and Lula Belle McKinnon. Raised on their modest family farm in Lee County, he attended public schools in Bishopville, playing baseball and football and driving a school bus. Following graduation from The Citadel, he married Martha Elizabeth Young of Mayesville, and the couple was stationed in Germany where a son, JK “Shaw” Newsom Jr., joined the command.  While enrolled at Tulane School of Medicine in New Orleans, daughters Shannon Elizabeth and Patricia Seyborn were born. Returning to South Carolina, Dr. Newsom established his family’s home in Cheraw where he practiced Family Medicine for over fifty years. Dr. Newsom later married Barbara Epstein of Cheraw, and sons, Jacob Andrew Newsom and William Alexander Newsom joined the family. Following Barbara’s death, he married Nancy Stubbs Newsom of Cheraw who cared for him as his health declined.

In addition to his patients, and his love of medicine, flying and his collection of aircraft were his next greatest passions in life. He often shared his love of flying with others, supporting community events and working to help establish aviation as an important economic driver in his community. He also served on several local and state boards and commissions throughout his life. He also was a member of Cheraw First Presbyterian Church.

Dr. Newsom is survived by his wife of 23 years, Nancy S. Newsom, of the home; his children, Dr. Shaw Newsom (Carol) of Cheraw; Shannon N. Stokes (Al) of Bluffton, SC; Patricia S. Newsom of Beaufort, SC; Drew Newsom (Daniel) of Saratoga, CA; and Dr. Alex Newsom (Heather) of Southport, NC. In addition, the family wishes to acknowledge Lisa Hodge Quick of Bennettsville, a dear and devoted friend of many years. Dr. Newsom is also survived by a step-daughter, Beth B. Oneal (Jimmy), six grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, three great grandchildren, three step-great grandchildren and numerous cousins in the McKinnon and Newsom clans.

Memorials may be made to: Cheraw Rescue Squad, PO Box 28, Cheraw, SC 29520; Scotia Village, 2200 Elm Avenue, Laurinburg, NC 28352; St. David’s Cemetery Association, PO Box 1196, Cheraw, SC 29520; Turkey Creek Cemetery Association, 4375 Bishopville Hwy, Bethune, SC 29009; or the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.

The family respectfully asks that their privacy be respected at this time.

A graveside memorial service for family and close friends only will be held 2:00 PM, Sunday, January 30, 2022 in St. David's Cemetery

Joseph K Newsom Sr MD, “Dr Joe”, was known and loved by, and will now be missed, by so many. His children are happy to announce a public celebration of our Father’s life to be held at 2PM, March 12th, at Kevin Lears, 140 Second Street, here in Cheraw. We look forward to welcoming all who can join us for this casual and informal event to memorialize our Father’s life in our community.