Prince Newsom Sr., 61, of Matthews, NC, passed away on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at Novant Health Matthews Medical Center.   

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A Time to Be Born...

Prince Gamble Newsom was born on August 30, 1964, to Thomas Ling and Willie Jewel Gamble. Prince was reared in his early years by his grandmother Thelma Gamble in Catherine, Alabama and later moved to Brooklyn, New York where he lived with his stepdad and mom. Prince was educated in the Public School system of New York, where he attended Elementary, Middle (P.S. 57) and High School (Prospect Heights). Prince also attended Brooklyn College working towards an Associate’s degree. Prince’s maternal uncles (WD and Jesse) played a pivotal role during his early years… they taught him discipline and showed him (through their lifestyle) what it meant to be a provider. The lessons they taught him early in life were instrumental in the man he ultimately became.

A Time to Serve and A Time to Love...

Prince proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps, which took him to several intriguing places, including Okinawa, Japan and South Korea; where he learned the language and mastered Martial Arts. During his time abroad, Prince also prepared for and ran in Marathons. While stationed in Jacksonville, NC, Prince was fortunate to have been introduced to William “Pops” and Minnie Ambrose. Pops and Mrs. Minnie (and Lewis, Vaughn and Gina) became Prince’s extended family for life. Corporal Newsom was a recognized Sharpshooter and received the Good Conduct Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon while serving his country.

A Time to Build Up...

After being Honorably Discharged, Prince made his home in Brooklyn, New York, where he worked for Brinks Armored Car Service. Prince was invited to (and later joined) Zion Temple COGIC and was soon recognized as a devoted member under the leadership of the late Elder Aubrey Baker, Jr. Prince was a faithful servant to the ministry and was later ordained as a Deacon and served as a Bible Study Teacher.

In 1989, Prince met and later pursued Sister Yvette Miller, and in 1991 they were united in Holy Matrimony. To this beautiful union, three sons were born: Prince II, Victor, and William. Together, they also lovingly embraced their niece/goddaughter Donnette as their daughter.

In 1997, Prince and Yvette relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, where Prince joined the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Department as a Detention Officer. Prince and Yvette joined Sherman Memorial COGIC under watch care; the late Bishop C.E. Anderson, Sr. was the Pastor. Prince faithfully served Sherman Memorial COGIC in several capacities until September 2022. After which, Prince faithfully tuned in on Sunday’s and some Thursday Nights via Livestream/Zoom. While at Sherman Memorial COGIC, Prince became the Vice President of the Deacons Board and served as a Sunday School Superintendent and Men’s Sunday School Teacher. Prince also founded the Chess Club and taught Saturday Chess Club classes once a month. Over his life, Prince served as a Mentor (first to his sons) and subsequently for dozens of Young Men in his church and in the community.

To advance his career, Prince attended South Piedmont Community College and completed the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET); he received his Certification in 2002. Prince retired from Mecklenburg County as a Sheriff’s Deputy in 2019. After retirement, Prince continued to serve his community by working part-time for G4S Security Company.

Outside of work Prince was known to help anyone with anything, from repairing cars to lending his tools… his answer was rarely ever “no”. He had a kind heart and was willing to help anyone. Some took advantage of him, but he never held a grudge. Prince was an avid New York Giants fan (why???) and he loved volunteering and helping others.

A Time of Challenges and a Time for Grandfatherly Joy...

In September 2022, Prince’s heart was filled with JOY as he welcomed his first grandchild, Ava Newsom …soon after, Prince welcomed his second grandchild, Elaina Newsom (2023), Both of whom …lovingly call him “Pop Pop”. After Ava was born, Prince proudly proclaimed that he was a “Girl Grand Dad”. Ava and Elaina each shared a special bond with their “Pop-Pop” and visited him often and preferred to speak to him most of the time over Gammy.

Additionally, in September 2022, Prince experienced a traumatic health event that changed life as he once knew and restricted his mobility, but it never changed his spirit. He remained a fighter until the Lord called him home on November 11, 2025, ...What an Honor for the Lord to Call HIS faithful servant and proud Marine home on Veteran’s Day.

A Time to Remember...

Prince leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 34 years, Yvette Newsom; his three sons: Prince II (Tiffany, Charlotte, NC), Victor (Teesha, Greensboro, NC), and William (Raeann, Charlotte, NC); two daughters/nieces: Donnette (Augusta, GA) and Donale (Charlotte, NC); two granddaughters: Ava and Elaina; one granddaughter/niece: Victoria, his beloved mother Willie Jewel Gamble; his sister Wanda Bolden (Eric, Brooklyn, NY); two sisters-in-love Renessia Smith (Kevin, Charlotte, NC) and Regina Miller (Augusta, GA); one brother-in-love Herbert Miller (Sumter, SC); Nephews: Ray, Jr., Reginald and Kingston; Nieces: Renessia, Donnette, Donale and Queen and a host of grand nephews and nieces. Maternal aunt (Pearline Saulsberry) and uncles (Jessie and Fred); Friends over decades: Alan Romero, Mark Cunningham and Virgil McKelvey; Cherished “Sons” (Mentees) Miles, Darius, Mont, Brandon and Demetirus, Jr. and so many others whose lives he deeply impacted for good. Prince was preceded in death by his loving Grandmother Thelma Gamble, “second” Father and Mother, William and Minnie Ambrose; Father and Mother in Love, Herbert and Albertha Miller; niece, Queen Victoria Miller.

Prince was a Joy to those who participated in his care and recovery...they all have at one time, or another proclaimed, “ We LOVE Him”. To his Caregivers…the people who made him smile and took such good care of him when we (his family) couldn’t be there … Kun Le, Alycia, Lisa, Teniqua, Ms. Sharon, AD, “Sister”, Ekemini, Roz, Michelle, Diane, Bridget, Ramiyah, Fatima, Andrea, Ms. Deidra, Monica, Jakeia, Gabby, Dani, Madison and a host of others (to many to name). We Thank the Lord for your heart for Prince and pray that the Father’s Blessing is forever yours!

To Deacon Joey Bennett, Alan Romero, Mother Betty Shropshire and Pastor Barry Kelly....THANK YOU!!! We (Prince’s immediate family) couldn’t have endured these last three years without your support, prayers and sacrifice. Your support provided us needed “breaks” ...breaks where we could “re-energize” all while knowing that Prince was in good hands. Thank you! and a special Thank you to Audrey Bennett and Cheryl Kelly you “allowed” your husbands to continue to be Prince’s friends and support system when he needed them most; we are so appreciative and forever grateful … THANK You!

To “Daughters” Donnette and Donale… it made his heart glad that you took time to come visit and call and play Chess and Bingo and just talk like you did with him before September 2022. He wasn’t “different” to you after September 2022 …you both showed him through your actions that you really loved and valued him. He KNEW you Loved HIM… THANK YOU

To Daughters in Love…. Thank you for your love, patience and support over the years; He loved you as daughters and you loved him like a father.

To Son’s Prince, II, Victor and William…. Your dad was so grateful to have loving caring sons who took time to participate in his recovery and care. You sacrificed daily and it was NEVER a burden. You worked together and were his biggest advocates. And you stood your ground when “things” didn’t make sense. Your love and care and concern kept him happy and blessed in spite of all he was dealing with. THANK YOU for caring and taking time for

the man who did all he could for you!

A Loving Tribute...

My husband, a good, dependable, reputable, saved man. God’s favor was upon you … many a men would have “folded” under similar circumstances… but you fought the pain …you fought the shame and you didn’t give up. Doctors were amazed at your strength and fortitude, and you didn’t complain. Yes, it was hard and Yes it was painful and Yes it was scary … but you (and all those around you) saw God’s handiwork alive in your life. And God kept you here as our joy until HE decided enough was enough and called you home Tuesday morning November 11th at 4:19am as I held your hand and we listened to “ I Give Myself Away”. God’s chariot came and picked you up … you left peacefully .. I didn’t realize you were gone. We will miss you… your smile and your sense of humor but we are Thankful to the Lord for the time that HE “lent” you to us … no more suffering, no more pain, no more shame… You were ready (you told us so on Monday). The Lord took you away from us, but we look forward to the day when we will meet again, until then “cut one” (that is a step) for me in HIS presence until I get there. I love you and I thank God for every joy and tear, every up and down we shared over these 34 years and I am especially grateful to the Lord for these past three years … it’s what we all “needed” to grow closer to HIM and it made us “better” …oh and I promise not to tell anyone that Marines watch the “Soaps” … it will be our little secret. Love Always, Yvette

Prince’s legacy as a Servant of God, Deacon, Husband, Father, Grand Father, Uncle, Grand Uncle, Mentor, Friend and Patient will forever live on in the hearts of all those he knew and loved.