Raymond Perry Newsom

Raymond Perry Newsom

Raymond Perry Newsom, husband of Carol Capell Newsom, died on July 26, 2025, at the age of 82 in Greenville, SC.

A native of Jacksonville, Florida, he was the son of the late Julia Perry O’Dell and stepson of the late James Wesley O’Dell. He graduated from Alfred I. DuPont High School in Jacksonville and earned a BA degree from Furman University in 1965. While a Furman student, Raymond was a member of the men’s baseball team, men’s freshman basketball team, ROTC and Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He served as an officer in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, followed by a ten-year career in management with Burlington Industries.

In 1977, Raymond joined MassMutual as a career agent, and in 1983 he founded Corporate Benefits, Inc., a local Greenville financial services company serving corporate clients throughout the United States. In 2001, he sold his company to NFP in New York, and Mr. Newsom remained as President and Principal until his retirement in 2014.

Mr. Newsom was a member and former elder of Westminster Presbyterian Church and actively served on a volunteer basis in many local community organizations. Formerly, he served on the Furman University Advisory Board and as President and Board Member of the Furman Paladin Club. He was inducted into the 2015 Furman Athletics Honorary Hall of Fame. He held memberships in Greenville Country Club, Green Valley Country Club, and The Cliffs Clubs.

Raymond truly lived a joyful life through dedication to his family, his business and his community. He loved people, camaraderie with friends, Furman Basketball, golf, catching large bass and long walks with his two canine pals, Lady and Vinny. His greatest joy was in helping others succeed through his kindness, generosity and mentorship.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of 59 years, are his daughters, Christina Newsom Byron and husband, William of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Julia Newsom Means and husband, Bradley of Augusta, Georgia; grandsons, Alex Byron, Sam Means and Jack Means; and sister, Nancy Newsom Bowman and husband Gilbert of Greenville. Mr. Newsom was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Kenneth Newsom.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at Furman University’s Daniel Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in Raymond’s memory to the Furman University Men’s Basketball Program, 3300 Poinsett Highway, Greenville, South Carolina 29613, or click on the following link: Furman Paladins Men’s Basketball

A private Committal Service will take place at Westminster Presbyterian Church Columbarium in Greenville at a later date.