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Fay Loraine Fiew Newman, 89, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023 at home. She was born Aug. 9, 1934, in Edna, the fourth child of nine, to Bemmie Lee and Opal Lavonna (Price) Fiew.
She grew up in the oil fields of Jackson County and attended Northside Baptist Church. She received Christ at a very young age and her life was changed forever. She often said, “Even the stars looked different that night.”
She married William Eugene Nickel May 3, 1951, and they had five children. Sadly, that marriage ended in divorce, and she moved to Elgin, in 1969. She worked at the brickyard, then bought City Café. Her chicken fried steaks and enchiladas are still talked fondly about today, and it didn’t take long for the “hobos riding the rail” to find out that they could get a free hot bowl of stew with a warm slice of cornbread from Miss Fay at City Café. She was also named MOST WORTHY CITIZEN by the Elgin Chamber of Commerce.
On May 15, 1978, she married Lawson Balch and sold the café to become a rancher’s wife. They were happily married until he passed away Jan. 15, 1981.
She married Chester Leon Newman, Sr. May 20, 1982, and they proudly ran and operated the “Yours, Mine and Ours” daycare, which happily enabled her to personally care for her grandchildren. She and Chester did catering jobs on the side, which satisfied Fay’s desire to serve the Elgin community and her love for cooking.
Fay and Chester faithfully attended Family Worship Center and discipled many precious souls in their home. Eventually, they sold the daycare and Fay began working at the Bastrop County Restitution Center on Fisher Street in Elgin, which led to her earning her high school diploma. This, too, was one of her most wonderful achievements.
Chester died Aug. 11, 2010, and Fay moved in with her daughter Doris and her husband Ricky Rodriguez in 2011. Fay’s “intercessory prayer” ministry really took off at this point and eventually led to the founding of “The War Room,” where she and so many others have prayed for so many people. She was preparing to go to the War Room the morning she passed and was in active ministry until she drew her last breath. She was found sitting at her small dining table with her Bible turned to Psalm 23 and Psalm 24.
Fay was a “mother” and “grandmother” to many and has left behind a beautiful legacy of faith, love, joy and peace to all who knew her.
Fay was preceded in death by her parents, Bemmie Lee and Opal Fiew; brothers, Donald Ray Fiew, Chester Lee Fiew and Bemmie Lee Fiew Jr; sisters, Jane New and Beverly Ann Lowry; sons, Charles William Nickel, Robert Allen Nickel and Michael Anthony Nickel; great-granddaughter, Hannah Rebecca Rodriguez; and foster son, Johnny Fitzgerald.
Fay is survived by her daughter, Doris Rodriguez and husband Ricky; son, Randy Nickel and wife Pam; 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren; sisters, Cythia Nell Findley and Peggy Joyce Schautteet; and brother, James Arnold Fiew.
Pallbearers are Robert Nickel Jr., Luke Rodriguez, Zack Rodriguez, Jacob Garcia, Ben Harris and John Bridges. Honorary Pallbearers are Mark Rodriguez and Ryan Rachui.
A visitation was held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, at Providence- Jones Family Funeral Home.
A celebration of Fay’s life was held Saturday, Sept. 2, at 10 a.m. at Family Worship Center. She was laid to rest immediately following the funeral service at the Elgin Cemetery.
A reception was held after interment at Family Worship Center. All are welcome.
