Mike Newman

Mike Newman, age 70, of Enterprise, AL, passed away, Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at Flowers Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, October 16, 2022 at First Baptist Church of Enterprise with Dr. Ben Bowden officiating. Burial will follow in Andalusia Memorial Cemetery with Searcy Funeral Home and Crematory directing. The family will receive friends in the Coffee Bar beginning at 12:30 P.M. until service time. Please enter through the Welcome Center for the visitation. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Newman Endowed Science Scholarship in the College of Education at Auburn University. Please make donations payable to the Auburn University Foundation, 317 South College Street, Auburn, AL 36849. Mike was born and lived all his childhood in Andalusia in Covington County. It was in that rural setting that he learned to love and appreciate the environment. His early years were spent roaming public and family lands, identifying the best fishing holes and hunting spots. Time invested by teachers and family members to cultivate this interest created a desire in Mike to learn, and later teach, to be a steward of the environment. Mike attended Auburn University to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in science, specifically fisheries. He enjoyed a 30-year career in fisheries, first with the state of Georgia and then with the state of Alabama department of natural resources. Mike is the primary author of Alabama's publication on farm pond management. In retirement Mike managed his own certified tree farm in Coffee County earning a National Treasure Forest award and the Helen Mosley Memorial Treasure Forest award for sustainable multi-use forestland. He continued his search for the best fishing holes and hunting spots throughout his life. Another lifelong passion was his love of the Lord. Mike's faith was unwavering, his walk with the Lord consistent. Like his passion for teaching others about the environment, he taught others about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. From leading Sunday School and Bible studies to mission trips around the world he tirelessly spread God's word. His two passions overlapped in his devout study of creation. His faith impacted every conversation and long-winded blessing, as everyone who knew him, and even those who didn't, can attest. Mike was confident of his place in heaven and is rejoicing there now. Mike was preceded in death by his father Charles Shepard Newman. Survivors include his wife, Joan Newman, Enterprise, AL; mother, Voncile Newman, Andalusia, AL; three sisters, Lucy Newman Thompson (Charlie), Birmingham, AL; Patsy Newman Faull (John), Branson, MO; Janet Newman Duckett (Rob), Atlanta, GA; niece, Holly Thompson Jones (Jonathan), Birmingham, AL; two nephews, Wes Faull, Branson, MO; Justin Faull, Branson, MO; numerous cousins and other family members. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mike Newman, please visit our flower store.