Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

May 14, 2023

CHARLOTTE – Judith Martin Newell, lovingly known as Judy, passed away on Sunday, May 14, 2023, at Levine & Dickson Hospice House at Aldersgate.  She celebrated her 83rd birthday and Mother's Day before peacefully leaving this world.  Judy was a remarkable woman, devoted wife, cherished mother, doting grandmother, and a successful businesswoman who touched the lives of many.

Judy was born in Charlotte, NC on May 13, 1940, to the late Robert Hoover Martin and Inez Martin.  She graduated from Myers Park High School and attended Lenoir Rhyne College as well as King's College.  

Judy dedicated her working years to Ford Motor Company and later became the co-owner of Newell Enterprises alongside her husband, Brice.  Together, they traveled across the southeast, promoting and selling their innovative Sud N Clean products.  In 1996, Judy took a bold step by opening Magnolia Marketplace in Cary, NC.  This venture showcased her entrepreneurial spirit.

Magnolia Marketplace became a platform for 150 retail vendors and interior designers, providing a launching pad for aspiring business owners under one roof. Judy's vision and unwavering commitment turned her store into a thriving hub of creativity and commerce. The success of the Cary location led her to expand her enterprise by opening two additional stores in Raleigh, NC.

A lifelong member of Duncan United Methodist Church, Judy’s unwavering commitment to her beliefs inspired those around her, and she remained an active and engaged member of the community.

Judy leaves behind a legacy of love and accomplishment.  She is survived by her son, Martin Newell; daughter, Gina Newell Fitts, and her husband, John; granddaughters, Peyton Fitts and Ella Fitts, who brought immense joy to her life and will forever cherish the memories they shared.  She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of over fifty years, Brice D. Newell, with whom she shared a deep bond and numerous ventures.

Judy will be fondly remembered as an extraordinary mother, grandmother, and wife.  Her strong entrepreneurial spirit and passion for her work were evident in everything she did.  Her intelligence and business acumen made her an inspiring figure, while her love and dedication to her family were the cornerstones of her life.

A memorial service to honor Judy will be held at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Myers Park United Methodist Church in the Francis Chapel with Rev. Nancy Watson officiating.  The family will receive friends in Jubilee Hall following the service.

Memorials may be offered in memory of Judy to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, (SPCA of the Triad, PO Box 4461, Greensboro, NC 27404) or https://www.triadspca.org/donate.  Judy had a deep love for animals and believed in the importance of their welfare and protection.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.