OBIT/Gladys Knight's Son Passes Away

Business Wire, July 14, 1999

LAS VEGAS--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--July 14, 1999--

Gladys Knight's son and former manager, Jimmy Newman, passed away, at the age of 37, on Saturday, July 10, in Las Vegas.

Newman was the road manager for "Gladys Knight and the Pips." After a five-year stint with the group, he formed his own management company, Newman Management Inc., and became personal manager for Knight and all of her entertainment endeavors. He served as manager to artists such as Carl Strong, Byron Allen, Bebe Winans and Tamar Braxton.

In 1998, he founded Many Roads Records, whose first release was the inspirational album by Knight called "Many Different Roads." On July 3, 1999, the "Many Different Roads" album debuted on the Billboard Magazine Top 40 Gospel Albums at No. 23. Newman had just been appointed vice president of West Coast Operations for Blackground/Virgin Records.

Tuesday, Knight; Newman's wife, Michelene; and his sister, Kenya Jackson, spoke about the loss of their loved one. "We are devastated by the tragic loss of our husband, son and brother, Jimmy. We hope that Jimmy will be remembered for the wonderful contributions that he made to those he came in contact with.

"He was a tremendous father and adored his five children. We would like to thank all those who have shown their concern and remembered us in their prayers during these difficult hours."

Newman attended Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas and continued his education at the University of San Diego, graduating with a bachelor of science degree in business and accounting.

On Feb. 28, 1989, Newman was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held various leadership positions within the church.

Besides his mother, Knight, and his stepfather, Barry Hankerson of California, Newman is survived by his wife, Michelene, and five children: Rishawn, 14; Nastasia, 11; Stefan, 8; Sterling, 6; and Gabrielle, 4. Newman is also survived by his sister, Kenya Jackson, and brothers, Shanga Hankerson, Jomo Hankerson and Jimmy Jordan.

A viewing will be held in Las Vegas at Palm Mortuary located at 7600 S. Eastern in Las Vegas on Wednesday, July 14, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The funeral will be held Thursday, July 15, at the Red Rock Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 221 Lorenzi St. (near Rainbow and Westcliff) at 11 a.m.

The Knight family has requested that, in lieu of sending flowers, donations may be made to the Newman Children's Education Fund at Wells Fargo Bank, Account No. 6835-665183.

For more information regarding Newman or to view a photo, visit http://www.ballardpr.com/headline.html and click on Jimmy Newman Funeral Information.