The purpose of the Newman Fund is to celebrate God’s grace, and His loving kindness to the Colee family through a legacy of faith and faithfulness that will impact disciple-making and Kingdom-building, until the Lord returns.
Specifically, the fund will be used to support sharing the Gospel by assisting with:
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? Matthew 16:24-26
Newman was born to Ewell and Earlie Colee in the small community of Jones, Alabama, November 11, 1940. His parents were both committed followers of Christ. Newman had an older sister, Vivian, and an older brother, Grover. His dad, called “Bigdaddy,” was born in 1896 and fought in WWI. Ewell Colee was a cattle farmer and had a sawmill business in rural Autauga County, Alabama between Prattville and Selma on Highway 14. Newman’s mom Earlie, called “Granny,” was a homemaker who was known as a fabulous cook and loved to fish.
His dad highly valued hard work, so Newman grew up working on the farm. When he was in high school, he drove a school bus and worked other jobs to earn money. Newman graduated from Autauga County High School (now Prattville High) then started at Auburn University. His dad felt strongly that he should not get married until he finished college. So, Newman took the GI Bill and spent 2 years away in the Navy, and another two years in the reserves. Once he returned home, he went back and finished a degree in Accounting at Auburn, and in 1963, Newman married Janis Williams, daughter of Janey Booth Williams, also from Prattville.
February 29, 1968, Newman and Janis became the parents of Newman O Colee, Jr. to be called “Chip,” and then January 2, 1973, older brother was born, named Christopher H Colee, to be called “Chris.”
– Chip Colee
In 1972, Dad was diagnosed with a large, benign brain tumor called an acoustic neuroma. He was in the hospital for nine straight months, having multiple neurological operations before finally coming home with a long road to recovery in front of him. He did things the doctors said he would not do, like eating normally and walking and was eventually able to return to normal activity including his work at Gulf States Paper’s home office in Tuscaloosa. He even launched a Christian bookstore in Tuscaloosa called the “Sonshine House.” During these years, he served as a deacon, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, and mentored many young men.
In the late 1980’s, during a routine doctor visit, it was discovered that there was a small regrowth of the original tumor. Despite it being a slow growing tumor, doctors felt that since he was relatively healthy, it should be removed. The surgery did not go as planned, and due to complications, he would never function normally again and wound up completely bedridden and in a coma for the remaining 2 ½ years of his life. On April 19, 1990, dad stepped through the doorway of death into the presence of Jesus.
Dad’s strong faith in Christ was at the center of his life. He loved the Lord and His Word. He was the best dad imaginable. He loved my brother and me and demonstrated that love in every way. He taught me much in 22 years and although his time on earth felt way too short, God used his life to impact many for the Gospel. Here are some things I remember about my dad:
The Newman Fund is a tribute to Newman Colee, but ultimately a mission and ministry legacy intended to honor the Lord and provide resources to point others to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our family thanks you for your support of the Newman Fund and we commit to prayerfully using these funds to make disciples and build the Kingdom of God until the Lord returns.
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Text-to-Give
Giving can be as easy as sending a text!
All you have to do is text to 52014, type “@tbfa” the word “give” and the dollar amount to #newman”
Example: Text 52014 with the message “@tbfa give $100 #newman”
To send different amounts just change the 100 to your dollar amount preference.
