Pittsville………Merlean Tidwell Newman, age 77 of Pittsville died Wednesday, December 26, 2018 at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital.

Born July 26, 1941 in Winston County, Alabama, she was a daughter of the late Bob Earl Tidwell and Bertha Lee Hill Tidwell.  She was a former Postmaster with the U.S. Postal Service.  She had a green thumb and enjoyed gardening, cooking, sewing, knitting, crafts, spending time with family and giving her time to everyone.

She is survived by two sons, Douglas Newman and wife, Melissa of Cartersville, and Robert Newman of Charlotte, NC; two brothers, William Tidwell of Double Springs, AL, and Carlton Tidwell of Double Springs, AL; three sisters, Patsy T. Nichols of Penhook, Rebecca T. Moore of Double Springs, AL, and Jean T. Wilson of Double Springs, AL; four grandchildren, Elizabeth Newman, Jordan Newman, Emily Newman, and Hannah Heim; one great-grandchild, Eden Powell; and a longtime companion, Roger Reynolds.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 29, 2018 at Pittsville Pentecostal Holiness Church by Curtis "Bo" Boley and Rev. Dennis Nichols.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, December 28, 2018 at Colbert-Moran Funeral Home and other times will be at the residence.

Colbert-Moran Funeral Home, Gretna is assisting the family.  Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.colbertmoran.com .