Mrs. Gwendolyn Theresa Newsome was born in Gulfport, MS on August 25, 1944 to the union of Reverend Albert DeFlanders and Alberta (DeFlanders) Randele. She was the youngest of seven children; a fact she relished in.

Gwendolyn graduated from the historic 33rd Avenue High School in Gulfport in 1962. She attended Tougaloo College, a historically black institution, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Early Education. Her desire to serve under-resourced and intentionally excluded communities was sparked shortly after beginning her career at Gulf Coast Community Action Agency and Head Start Programs. With over 45 years with the Agency, she held various roles, with her final position involving travel across Mississippi and Louisiana to support and train aspiring and current teachers in obtaining Head Start certification and classroom readiness.

Gwendolyn's entrepreneurial spirit was driven by personal passion: educational excellence and quality cuisine. She owned and operated Enrichment Daycare Center as well as Dez Restaurant & Catering, which she managed before retirement in 2013.

On April 12, 1968, Gwendolyn was joined in holy matrimony to L.S. Newsome, and to this union they had one daughter. Their union stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and purpose.

A lifelong member of Morning Star Baptist Church, Gwendolyn served in many capacities, including on the Board of Trustees and as a member of the Inspirational Choir. She genuinely enjoyed serving Christ and her Morning Star family.

Gwendolyn was preceded in death by her husband, L.S. Newsome; her parents, Rev. Albert DeFlanders and Alberta (DeFlanders) Randele; two sisters, Verna Lee Stance and Ollie Mae Farmer; and two brothers, Albert DeFlanders, Sr., and Charles DeFlanders.

She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved daughter, RuJonice (Keith) Anderson; two granddaughters, Destiny and Amilya Anderson; one grandson, Jaivon Anderson; one sister, Maudia Henderson; one brother, Rev. James DeFlanders; and a brother-in-law, Roy Loftin, all of Gulfport, MS. She is also lovingly remembered by her five Godchildren, Linda Cowart, Kawenta Harvey, Courtney DeFlanders-Griffin, Brianna Polk, and Trinity Polk; and a host of devoted relatives and friends.