The Life and Legacy of Newton Thompson, Sr.

New Iberia – A Celebration of Life for Newton DeValeria Thompson, Sr. will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 414 Weeks Street, New Iberia, LA. Pastor TJ Andrus will officiate the service.

On Friday, February 14, 2025, public visitation will be held at the church beginning at 5:00 PM with a Memorial Service beginning at 7:00 PM.

Visitation will resume on Saturday from 11:00 AM until the time of service.

He will be entombed in the mausoleum at Holy Family Cemetery next to his beloved wife, Shirley.

Newton DeValeria Thompson Sr. was born on Sunday, January 1, 1933 in Modeste, LA, a small community in Ascension Parish between Donaldsonville and White Castle. Bro. Thompson was the eighth of nine children born to Willie Wesley Thompson Sr. and Annie Anthony Thompson.

At a young age he moved to Gretna, LA with his family, where he attended L. B. Landry High School.  He later enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp at the age of 17.  After 4 years of service, he was Honorably Discharged as a Sergeant with a Good Conduct Medal and Nation Defense Service Medal.

He moved to New Iberia where he met and married Shirley Mae Thompson on November 27, 1957.  They were married for 49 years until her passing on March 18, 2007.  There are two children from this union: Newton, Jr. and Tracy Yvette.

With a keen interest in furthering his education, Mr. Thompson attended Xavier University of New Orleans and University of Southwestern Louisiana where he excelled and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1963, a Master of Education Administration and Supervision in 1966 and an Education Specialist Degree in 1973.

He served as a teacher and guidance counselor in the Iberia Parish School System for nearly 30 yrs. He began his career as a teacher in the fall of 1963 at Jonas Henderson High School as a science and biology teacher. He worked there until schools were integrated in 1969.  Having been certified as a counselor, he worked as a Guidance Counselor at New Iberia Senior High until he retired in 1988.

With an interest in politics and serving his community, Mr. Thompson ran for Congress in 1973 to represent his fellow citizens in Louisiana's 3rd Congressional District, a race that was ultimately won by future Governor Dave Treen.  Later he would go on to serve the on the Iberia Parish Planning Commission and the Board of the New Iberia Chamber of Commerce.

In 1977, Mr. Thompson established himself as a businessman when he founded his own Real Estate Company, N. D. Thompson Real Estate, later changing the name to Newton Thompson Real Estate and ultimately to New Investors Real Estate.  In 2000, he opened a Baton Rouge Office where he and his son specialized in listing and selling HUD Properties throughout South Louisiana.  He enjoyed working with people and selling homes, continuing to show homes into October of 2024.

He was faithfully devoted to Jesus Christ and the church.  He began his spiritual journey at St. Phillip Baptist Church in Modeste, a small wood frame church on the levee road.  Upon moving to New Iberia, he became a member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in the 1950's under the pastorate of Rev. Harrison M. Jones. Over his nearly 60 years at Mt. Calvary, he's helped with several building projects including the current sanctuary and the new Educational Building and Fellowship Hall; led the Laymen's Ministry; served on the Church's Board; taught Sunday School; sang with the Male Chorus, and has just been a presence of a Godly Man for our young people to look up to.

Preceding him to eternal victory are his devoted wife, Mrs. Shirley Thompson; siblings and in-laws: Bishop Joseph A.  and Carrie Thompson, Willie and Helen Thompson, Annie Belle & Walter Malloy, Edward Thompson, Irene Thompson, and Mervin Henderson, Sr. On Friday, January 31, 2025, Brother Thompson's work was done

Newton leaves to cherish his memory, his son, Newton D. Thompson Jr. (wife Becca) of Baton Rouge, LA; his Daughter Tracy T. Gilliam (husband, Travis) Arlington, TX.; his granddaughter, Saige Simone Thompson of Baton Rouge, LA; one, brother and two sisters, Marcus Thompson of Vallejo, CA, Ethel Lee Henderson of Triangle, VA, and Elnora Brown of New Orleans, LA; and many nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

Personal condolences may be expressed to the family on our website: davisfamilymortuary.com