Columbus Morris Newell ’49

Columbus Morris Newell ’49 of Charlotte, N.C., died May 24, 2006. After a period in the Navy, he graduated from Davidson College in 1949. In 1955, he founded Morris Investment Company, developing family holdings in Union and Mecklenburg counties, growing the business to include properties in both Carolinas. He was a member and past deacon of First Presbyterian Church and also a member of ‘Church in Vocation.’ He loved Montreat and served for many years on the Montreat College board. Survivors include his wife of fifty-five years, Mary Bryant Newell, children, Samuel William Newell II, Virginia Eleanor Newell ’78, 3208 Amherst Ave., Columbia, S.C. 29205; and Leila Newell Erwin and her husband, Walter Clark Erwin, Jr.; grandchildren, Walter Clark Erwin, Margaret Morris Newell Erwin, Mary Leila Erwin and Virginia Helen Erwin, all of Morganton, N.C. He was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. Samuel William Newell ’39 of Richmond, Va., and his sister, Scott Newell Newton of Atlanta, Ga. Memorials may be sent to First Presbyterian Church, 200 W. Trade St., Charlotte, N.C. 28202 or to Davidson College, Box 7171, Davidson, N.C. 28035-7171 for the S.W. Newell Book Fund or the golf team.