Franklin – Ryland Gillette Newsome, 93, passed away April 26, 2026 in East Pavilion.  Born on June 25, 1932, she was a daughter of the late Ryland W. Gillette and Lucy Saunders Gillette.  She was also predeceased by her husband, Roland McCoy Newsome, three sisters, Mary G. Whitley, Anne G. Cross, and Evelyne G. Vaughan, and a brother, Joseph Gillette.

Ryland attended Ivor High School where she excelled in sports.  She worked at Lipton Tea, graded peanuts, and worked at Strickland's.  Her love was travelling with her devoted husband and camping.  Ryland was a long-time Pink Lady at Southampton Memorial Hospital and a member of Sedley Baptist Church.

Left to cherish her memory is two daughters, Darlene N. Thomas (Kerry) and Lois M. Newsome; three grandchildren, Shawn Thomas (Jennifer), James Dylan Thomas (Rose), and Amber Webster (Jacob); three great grandchildren, Jaxson Thomas, Jonathan Kirk, and Alexandra Webster; and a sister-in-law, Clara T. Gillette.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11AM Friday, May 1, 2026 in Sedley Baptist Church with Rev. Jim Foreman officiating.  Burial will follow in Southampton Memorial Park.  The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM Thursday in Wright Funeral Home and suggests that memorial donations be made to Sedley Baptist Church Youth or the Alzheimer's Association.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org