James Martin Newby was born March 8, 1922, to James Horton Newby and Cora Vessels Newby, in the Sardis Springs Community in Limestone County, AL.

He graduated from Athens High School in 1939. While attending Athens College, he was inducted in the U.S. Army where he served in the Artillery Division. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge, serving in Germany and the Philippines. After discharge from the Army, Mr. Newby finished his education at Athens College. Upon graduation, he opened a country store in the Sardis Springs Community and started a dairy business with his father. The dairy grew into a row crop operation with his sons. Mr. Newby was a public servant who served on the Limestone County Board of Education, as Tax Assessor, and Probate Judge. He left public office to return to his family farming business. He was also a partner in Moore & Newby Gin, Inc.

Mr. Newby was a lifelong member of the Sardis Springs Baptist Church where he served as deacon, Treasurer and Sunday School teacher. He loved God, his country, family and friends and will be greatly missed.

Services for Mr. Newby are Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at 3 p.m. at Sardis Springs Baptist Church. He will lie-in-state from 1:00 until 3:00. Burial will be in Sardis Springs Baptist Church Cemetery with Bro. Tim Kennum and Bro. Jack Bailey officiating. Limestone Chapel Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Naomi Coffman; and brother, Alan Newby.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Martha Ann Newby; sons, James Martin Newby Jr. and wife Martha, and Jerry Allen Newby and wife Diane, all of Athens; daughter, Susan Newby Ming and husband Bill of Athens; grandchildren, John Martin Newby and wife Monica, Leigh Anne Toone and husband Shane, James Michael Newby and wife Lindsey, Elizabeth Ann Crow and husband Justin, Mary Anna Newby, Jerry Allen Newby Jr. and wife Ashley, William C. Ming Jr., Elizabeth Newby Ming and Sarah Martha Ming; 9 great-grandchildren; sisters, Bonnie Hearn and Martha Chittam.