October 19, 2025, 93, Goldsboro —

Lula Gurley Newsome Sasser, 93, entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, surrounded by the love and prayers of her family.

Lou, as she was affectionately known, was born in Wayne County on August 29, 1932, to the late John David Gurley and Zilphia Pauline Johnson Gurley. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Leonard McCoy Newsome and Clawson “CJ” Sasser; her beloved son, Leonard Mark Newsome; and her siblings, Robert Gurley, Walt Gurley, Alma Newsome, Gladys Grimes, Wayne Gurley, Kenneth Gurley, Ronnie Gurley, and David Earl Gurley.

Lou’s life was a beautiful reflection of grace, humility, and unwavering faith. She began working at the age of 16 at Woodard’s Drug Store, where she developed her lifelong love for people and service. She later worked many faithful years as an inspector with Americal in Goldsboro. Through every chapter of her life, she leaned on the Lord for strength and guidance.

Her faith was the foundation of her life. Lou was a charter member of New Hope Road Church of God, where she served joyfully and with a servant’s heart. Whether through her hands, her prayers, or her acts of kindness, Lou lived out her faith daily and used every opportunity to glorify the Lord she loved so dearly.

Family was her greatest earthly treasure. She cherished every gathering — the laughter, the singing, and the sharing of stories. After the passing of her precious son in March, Lou’s heart turned ever more toward Heaven. She often spoke of her longing to go home to be with her Savior and her loved ones who had gone before. In her final moments, as her family gathered around her bedside, they sang hymns and read Scripture. With the peace of Heaven shining upon her face, Lou quietly slipped from their arms into the eternal arms of Jesus.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home. A service celebrating Lou’s life and faith will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 24, 2025, at New Hope Road Church of God with Bishop Charlie Asby and Evangelist David Brooks officiating. Interment will follow at Wayne Memorial Park.

Lou is survived by her devoted daughters, Linda Bradford and husband, Marion, of Princeton, and Lisa Mitchell and husband, Danny, of Princeton; her daughter-in-law, Regina Newsome; her treasured grandchildren, Heather Rogers, Heidi Leonard, Jessica Hoyle and husband, Jason, Jeremy Newsome and wife, Kelsey, Dustin Mitchell and wife, Amber, and Dalton Mitchell and wife, Becky; and her precious great-grandchildren, Coleman Bragg, Kaden Leonard, Aria Leonard, Amelia Leonard, Noah Hoyle, Michaela Hoyle, Henry Newsome, Grayson Mitchell, Sawyer Mitchell, Emma Mitchell, and Wyatt Mitchell. She is also survived by her last living brother, Ralph Gurley, as well as many nieces and nephews who held a special place in her heart.

Flowers are welcome, or memorials may be made in her memory to New Hope Road Church of God, 702 E. New Hope Road, Goldsboro, NC 27534.

Lou’s earthly journey has ended, but her testimony of faith and love will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. Today, she rejoices in her eternal home, reunited with loved ones and forever in the presence of her Lord.