- Allaja Gilbert Newman, 78, of Columbus, NC went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 in her home after a long illness.Allaja was born to Ellick and Bertie Haynes Gilbert on February 20, 1939 in Sunny View, NC. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James W. Newman and son, James Kevin Newman, and sisters, Aileen Gilbert McDaniel and Gwendolyn Revonda Gilbert.Allaja spent most of her life serving the Lord through music ministry. She began to play the piano as a young girl, and prayed that God would give her the ability to play and continue to learn so that she could devote her life to serving him in music. Over the years, she started out as a teenager traveling as a pianist, organist, and missionary all over the United States, particularly in the Appalachians and mining areas of Kentucky and West Virginia, as well as countless Indian Reservations in New Mexico and other states.In March 23, 1974, she married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, and they were together for 38 years. Throughout those years, Allaja became a piano teacher which was one of her greatest joys, as well as a Church Pianist and Organist at many different churches in Polk and neighboring counties, but she most recently served as pianist at Faith Temple Baptist Church in Mill Spring, NC. She will be loved and missed dearly by her family and friends.She is survived by her brother, Billy H. Gilbert (Brenda) of Sunny View, NC and by one daughter, Pamela Newman Luthringer (Jim) of the home. She is also loved by three grandchildren, Samantha Dover (Mike) of Inman, SC, Elizabeth Luthringer of Gramling, SC and Rev. James Luthringer (Sarah) of Campobello, SC. She also leaves behind five great grandchildren, Taylor, Jack, Ben, Eli, and Oliver.The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at McFarland Funeral Chapel in Tryon, NC.A funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 in the McFarland Funeral Chapel with Rev. Tim Gouge and Rev. Warren Elliott officiating.Burial will take place at Sliver Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Mill Spring, NC.At other times, the family will be at the home.The family would like to express their gratitude especially to Pam Greene, Jane Foster, and Buffy Montieth, and Melissa Dover for their compassion, care, and dedication.Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, P.O. Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043 or to Faith Temple Baptist Church, 662 Mountain Range Road, Mill Spring, NC 28756.
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