Mr. Earnest Raymond Newcomb
12/25/1951 - 07/23/2025
Raymond went to be with our Lord and Savior on July 23rd 2025. He retired from the Virginia Department of Transportation after 42 years of loyal hardworking service, where he took great pride in keeping the roadways in great shape all those years. He mentored many co-workers through the years and developed long lasting friendships with many of them. Even after his retirement he would ride the country roads and critique them, saying that ditch line needs work or this road needs to be fixed! His work was only underscored by his passion for fishing. Being a lifelong resident of Mecklenburg County and living in close proximity to John H Kerr Dam, he spent many years fishing, making his own lures and reels for himself and many others. He loved to crappie fish and could be seen putting around in his little boat enjoying his days on the lake. He made lifelong friendships with many people by sharing his knowledge of fishing and all things about the lake. He enjoyed watching Wrestling and Nascar Racing. Growing up in the Finchley area, he loved to take rides reminiscing about his childhood and just stopping and chatting with his friends. He was a gentle man and easy to love! He is predeceased by his parents, Otha and Lina Newcomb, his brothers Otis, Eugene and OB Newcomb. He leaves behind to remember him, his brothers Gordon (Terri), of Scottsburg VA, Bill (Joyce) of Victoria, Curtis (Donna) of Rawlings VA, Randall (Barbara) of Aylett VA and sister Janice Haley of Keysville, VA. Numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. A dear cherished friend Rosa Coles. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions maybe made to the Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery fund 1260 Wilkerson Rd Skipwith, VA 23968. A graveside funeral service will be conducted on Sunday July 27th at 2:00 P.M. in Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery, Skipwith, VA. Online condolences may be made through our website, www.crowderhitecrews.com. Crowder-Hite-Crews Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Newcomb family.
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About Us
At Crowder-Hite-Crews we’ve always been proud to say that we are large enough to serve and small enough to care. When you choose us, we consider this a sacred trust between your family and ours. We offer a full range of funeral service, whether for a traditional funeral or cremation, and we are able to assist families worldwide. In February of 2004 we installed a crematorium to better serve our cremation families. We now do all cremations in our facility, saving transport to another location for this service. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the cremation process.
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Crowder-Hite-Crews Funeral Home & Crematory
PO Box 422
1504 N. Mecklenburg Ave.
South Hill, VA 23970
Local (434) 447-7171
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Uncle Raymond
There are no words to say how much I will miss you! Through the years our relationship grew well beyond our relationship of uncle and niece. You loved and trusted me more than I realized until now. I will miss our deep talks and conversations. You gave me so much advice about living a simple life and how it’s important to enjoy nature. Many times we shared and conversations that were just between us. I cherish those times so much! Until we see each other again! I love you greatly and will miss you so much! I hope there are big fish in heaven and know you are breathing easy and enjoying every minute!
Best Friend
I meet Raymond nearly 25 years ago while fishing at Kerr Dam,l can truly say he stayed the same person as far as I am concerned until the end,he and l sometimes would talk hours on the phone,Raymond had a big heart for helping people,l learned from him when it came to fishing accessories.One thing for sure anything he would do would be done the best he could do,Having known Raymond has me better person, It’s been a privilege to have known him,REST ON MY FRIEND.
Thank You for being a great mentor
Raymond, I had known you way before, when you worked at VDOT actually, but we met up again when my family moved to China Grove Road. My son, Matthew, starting going to the dam to do striper and catfish fishing… he would come home talking about this man he met and that you’d always just talk to him and help him with “the dos and donts” of fishing, casting, etc… and girls 🤣🤣🤣 only one other man ever built this kind of bond with him, and he passed away long ago… now, he lost you too… but his memories and drilled on advice will never go.. so THANK YOU! We appreciate the kind man you are and always were to him, to us! Keep them roads in heaven just as great as you did here and keep helping them “wanna be” fishermen straight 🤣🤣❤️❤️❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Friend
I’m so sorry to hear of Raymond’s passing. He was such a nice man. He was always at the dam when I went with my husband. I would chat with him while watching everyone fish. Always had a hug and conversation for everyone. I hope him and Brian are catching up on the fish tails up there in heaven. Prayers for the family.
Fishing buddy
Sorry for the family loss. I have known Raymond for about 20 years . I am one of his fishing buddies (MACK)
Fishing buddy
I am sorry for your family loss. I have known Raymond for about 20 years. I was one of his fishing buddies. ((MACK)
Angel
I remembered he would always come into Red Barn smiling. Whether it was to fuel up, lottery, food or just to stop by to check on me. I always worked alone so he would stop by and be present. I don’t think he ever realized by just being present how much he was saving my life. It was going through A LOT and severely depressed but when he came in and would cut up and laugh, it made life worth living. A true blessing.
good friend
i will miss you so very much we have so many laughs to gether you were at great friend
Sympathy
My sympathy is with Bill,Joyce,and the rest of your family
Fishing buddy
I know Raymond for about 20 years he was a great fisherman and a great teacher he taught me a lot about rods reels and lures and also was wise in years I am miss are talks and you coming too the dam I will remember are are last Talk you ask me how the fish where bite behind the dam and said it’s too hot too fish and you just laughed little did I know that would be the last time we talked but I will cherish that last talk and you never changed you where always the same we lost a good one.
Fly high my friend til we meet again it’s been a nice knowing you man for the last 25 years. If not longer, we will miss you at John H Kerr Dam. You were one of the best striper fisherman around you have showed me a lot over the years you’re gonna be really missed. I hope you’re in heaven fishing with Carly and Henry, your old friends and y’all laughing at us at the Dam….😥
Sorry to hear about Raymond. I met Raymond through friends 5hat fished behind the dam also. Seen him make his fishing lures.
Friend
R.I.H. Buddy.. Sure Going To Miss You..
Neighbor
A lovely neighbor and friend that’s gone to soon. you will be missed. Every time I look up there and you are not on that lawn mower or catching those crappies and brining me some or just given me some advise on retirement. Heart broken but God knows best. May you take your rest. Praying for the family.
Sad news
I’m so saddened to hear of Newt’s passing. That’s what my dad called him along with quite a few others. I’ve knew this man most of my life. He and my dad were really good friends. He was one person I would always look forward to seeing when I come to the damn to visit. He would be sitting at the picnic bench up under the trees watching people fish talking to the ones he knew. He teased me and called me Duck jr. Newt and Hugh Hamby came to the damn the last time I got to take my dad to see his friends before hie passed. It was such a good day for all 3 of them to hang out and talk about fishing and logos times spent behind that damn. He was a good man and he will be missed.