Olivia "Libby" Smith Newsome, died Nov. 19, 2011.

She was born in Metter and was a long time resident of Statesboro.

She retired as a licensed practical nurse for many years and also at Georgia Southern University.

Mrs. Newsome was a foster parent to 12 different children and she enjoyed race walking and was part of the Young at Heart.

She was a member of Statesboro Primitive Baptist Church for about 60 years.

She was known for playing the piano by ear and had several books of poetry published.

Her parents, Thomas Bartow Smith and Sally Tate Whaley; husband, Beamon Roger Newsome; two brothers, Charlie Whaley Smith and Winford Bartow Smith; one sister, Emma Lou Smith; and two sons, Charles Randall Newsome and James Richard Newsome, preceded her in death.

Survivors include her three sons, Jerry (Juliet) Newsome, Lavon (Becky) Beamon Newsome, all of Statesboro, William "Billy" Roger (Grace) Newsome of Dawsonville; 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; various other relatives also survive.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 23 at the Statesboro Primitive Baptist Church with the Elders William Durrence and Randy Waters officiating.

The body will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.

Active pallbearers will be: Travis Zittrauer, Trevor Padgett, Les Walden, Justin Newsome, Gerry Newsome, Jeremy Newsome and Donovan Newsome.

Honorary pallbearers will be: Evelyn Price, Terry Newsome and Jerry Roger Newsome.

Burial will be in Elmer Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Ogeechee Area Hospice, P.O. Box 531, Statesboro, GA 30459.

Hodges-Moore Funeral Home of Statesboro is in charge of the arrangements.