Funeral Services will be held 12:00 noon EDT Saturday, September 13, 2025 at Canaan AME Church. Burial will follow at Mt. Arrie Baptist Church Cemetery.  Visitation will be Friday, September 12, 2025 from 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm at the funeral home.

Mrs. Benella Calfrancis Lagrand Newsome graced this life with her presence on October 17, 1936 in Russell County, Alabama. She departed this life for her Eternal Reward on Sunday, September 7, 2025 while holding her oldest daughter's (Dorothy's) hand.

Benella was a June 4, 1954, graduate of Russell County Training School in Hurtsboro, Alabama. She gave birth to her oldest son, a Morris and later was united in Holy Matrimony to Ruther B. Newsome "Pete" on June 15, 1957. To this union five children were born.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Rozell Lagrand, Ernest Lagrand, William Lagrand, Masie Lagrand and Jim Henry Lagrand; sisters, Birdia Williams, Sarah Thomas, Cora Scruggs, Mamie Maynard, Bettye Covington, Nannie M. Ducette, Minnie Lagrand and a grandson, Kristan Timmons.

Benella leaves to cherish her sweet memory three sons, Sergeant Major Morris Lagrand (Elonea) of Tacoma, Wash-ington, Hurbert Newsome (Bernetha) of Opelika, Alabama, and Rufus Newsome (Denise) of Phenix City, Alabama; four daughters, Dorothy Berry of Hatchechubbee, Alabama, Ruth Williams (Tommy) of Atlanta, Georgia, Carolyn Williams (Farrell) and Sanda Morgan (Kevin) all of Phenix City, Ala-bama; twenty grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; twenty-seven great-great grandchildren; one brother Robert Marby (Margaret) of Hatchechubbee, Alabama; one aunt Ruby Mason; four sisters-in-law, Mattie B. Lagrand, Ruby Lagrand, Amanda Lagrand and Earline Lagrand; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and loved ones.