Joseph W. Newman
Joseph Wesley “Spud” Newman, 25, of Hot Springs, Ark., passed away April 30, 2021. He was born June 14, 1995, in Hot Springs.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph H. Newman and Annabelle (Farr) Newman; his maternal grandmother, Inga Leslie; his brother, Bobby Chambers; sister, Barbara Loy; and his nephew, Roy Chamberlain Jr.
Survivors include his birth mother, Elizabeth (Derek) Keener; and his birth father, Joseph Wesley (Chea) Keener; maternal grandparents, Kender (Sue) Adcock; paternal grandparents, Billy (Patty) Keener, all from Hot Springs; sisters, Elizabeth Newman Fryar (David), of Pearcy, and Catherine Newman Sebastion (Bob), of Hot Springs; sisters-inlaw, Beth Chambers, of Springdale, Justice Keener, of San Antonio, Texas, Destiny (Christopher) Weatherly and Jasmine Aguirre; and brother, Jacob Keener, of Hot Springs; numerous nieces and nephews, Dana (Joe) Partain, Sheryl (Todd) Fryar, Joseph/ Joey (Cheryl) Newman, Derek Loy, Kalynn Chamberlain, Ashley Wilborn, their children Matt, Jessica, Phillip, Eric, Annabelle , Courtney, Hanna, Balin ,Remmie, Christiana, Luke, Nirvana, JR, Ronnie; and his maternal uncle, Terry Leslie Jr; and cousins, Birdi (Howard) Moody, Mary (Jay) Sargo-Schapiro, Becky Sargo-Belvins and Jan Sargo-Thomason.
Joseph was a 2013 Honors Graduate at Fountain Lake High School, where he received a full scholarship to attend Henderson State University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in 2018 in Sports Medicine, Sports Administration, and Business Management and was accepted into the Master program.
Due to his love for the outdoors and creative spirit, Joseph found his calling and became a carpenters apprentice. He was fortunate to work under the skillful eye of Bettie Murray at SMI Painting and Construction, who was also a very near and dear friend.
Joseph had love for playing basketball. He could often be seen outside in his sister’s yard playing ball with family and friends. He had a passion for grilling outside and cooking in general. During his childhood, you could always find him with his father at all the local fishing derbies. He always came home with a prize! He was an avid video gamer and enjoyed playing games with people throughout the United States and abroad.
Spud had a laugh that was so contagious and a smile that would light up a room. He was full of love and always found the best in life. He always had a positive attitude, an uplifting spirit and never met a stranger. He found the good in everyone he met. He loved all animals. Joseph was a kind man who cared about all of us.
Joseph was truly loved by all his family and friends and will be deeply missed. GONE TOO SOON BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN.
Pallbearers include Ethan Obear, Jonathan Neighbors, Garrett George, Matt Fryar, Christopher Wheatherly and Annabelle Pickering.
Honorary pallbearers are Kristi Moss, Thomas Edlemon, Fountain Lake Class of 2013, his senior high school football team, and his beloved fur baby Captain Spudagus.
A visitation will be open to the public from 5-7 p.m. Monday, May 10, at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home.
The celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11, with Brother Buddy Leamons and Mary Sargo-Shapiro officiating with burial to follow in Rockdale Cemetery in Fountain Lake, Ark.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in his name to Rockdale Cemetery Fund c/o Liz Fryar, 210 South Ross Maddox Rd., Pearcy, AR 71964.
Online condolences at https:// www.caruth-hale.com.