Riley Laverne "Skebo" Newman,

COLUMBIA—Riley Laverne “Skebo” Newman, Sr., 85 died suddenly in an automobile accident on Monticello Road, Monday, September 19, 2016. The visitation will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Temples Halloran Funeral Home, 5400 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29212.Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. in the Chapel of Temples Halloran Funeral Home and burial will follow in Memorial Gardens of Columbia, Hwy 21 (Wilson Blvd.) Columbia, SC.Pastor Paul Smith will officiate. Pallbearers will be Rusty Sturkie, Jimmy Brown, Pat Vinson, David Love, Tommy Fowler and Fred Spears. Skebo was born on August 17, 1931 in Columbia, the son of the late Caleb Lee Newman and Mary Flowers Sharpe. Skebo as everyone knew him was a self made business man. Skebo started his career in the 1930’s as a paperboy on Main Street in Columbia, later he expanded into a shoe shine business venture.He holds the record as the youngest independent Esso Service Station owner at age 19, and the oldest independent Service Station owner at 85. Mr. Newman served his country in the United States Army, training at Ft. Jackson and later served in the Calvary while being stationed in Japan. Everyone Skebo met was interesting to him and immediately became a friend. He loved people and never met a stranger.Skebo’s office at either service station was always full ofchairs for people to visit. He always tried to help everyone and his heart was so big that he gave to anyone and everyone. Skebo will be missed by many friends and always be remembered as “Quite a Character”. Lastly we are also sure he holds a worlds record for being a pallbearer at so many funerals. When the steps at his church became a little too much for him to climb and carry, he said, “I guess it’s time to retire as a pallbearer, I think maybe 70 something is old enough”. Skebo’s famous last words “ It is What it is” and “Don’t worry, I will take care of it”. Memorials will be made to Denny Terrace Baptist Church,6324 Dorchester Street, Columbia, SC 29203. He is survived by his daughter, Deborah Newman Faithful and son-in-law, Michael; son, Alan Lee Newman;Skebo’sdear friend, Dena Richardson; cousin and friend, Billy Newman.He was predeceased by his parents and sister, Helen Derrick, his loving wife of 51 years Nellie Newman and his son, Riley Laverne Newman, Jr.