Obituary of Emily Morris deQuincey-Newman

It is with sadness that we announce the death of Emily Morris deQuincey-Newman, the only child of civil rights and social justice pioneers the late Reverend Dr. Isaiah DeQuincey and Anne Hinton Newman. Born in Walterboro, she grew up in Charleston and Columbia, attending public schools at the inception of desegregation and graduated from Wofford College in 1977.

At the time of her death, she was chaplain of the Columbia chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution where she was former chapter regent. She was also a member of the Society of Descendants of Washington’s Army at Valley Forge. She regarded membership in lineage societies as her duty and pleasure.

Emily was a longtime parishioner of the Church of Saint Peter (now the Basilica of Saint Peter), serving as a mentor to catechumens and as extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. Her insights about faith in action were unfailingly shared with any interlocutor.

She will always be remembered for her grace, compassion, intellect and wit, and as the ineffable blessing that she was to countless friends. As one special friend remembered, “Emily was an intellectually precocious child who matured into a phenomenal adult. She was full of courage to follow her own path, spoke in her own inimitable style, deployed a wicked and wonderful sense of humor, quoted arcane and fanciful people and facts, and engendered loyal and lifelong loving friendships.”

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Very Reverend Canon Gary S. Linsky on Tuesday, December 6 at 10:00 a.m. at the Basilica of Saint Peter, 1529 Assembly Street, Columbia, South Carolina. Reception to follow in Neglia Hall. The courtesy of masking is requested.

We are grateful for the generous prayers, support, counsel, and assistance received in our bereavement.

Memorials to the charity of one’s choice are encouraged.

South Carolina Cremation Society is assisting the family. Family and friends may sign the online guest book by clicking on the “Tribute Wall” tab above.