R. H. McNew

R. H. McNew was born May 30, 1894, in the Centerville Community near Greenbrier, Arkansas. He was the son of William H. and Arah Johnson McNew, and he began his music career at an early age. He was teaching music at Midway Methodist Church (Hempstead County) in 1913 when he traveled a short distance to attend the original session of the Arkansas State Singing Convention in nearby Hope, Arkansas, on August 16, 1913. During his term at Midway Methodist, he met Stella Rosa Avery, and they were married December 21, 1913. She was the granddaughter of Alexander Avery who, as an early (1837) circuit rider from Tennessee, founded Midway Methodist and a number of other churches in Arkansas and Indian Territory.

R. H. and Stella established residence in his home community of Centerville where he conducted his farming activities and continued his work in gospel music. He taught hundreds of short-term music schools for churches (and sometimes other entities) not only in Arkansas but also in Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, and perhaps other states. He was active in many singing organizations, having served as president of the Faulkner County (AR) Singing Club and the Faulkner County Singing Convention (Est. 1879), and in 1948 and 1949 he served as president of the Arkansas State Singing Convention. His songs have been published by numerous organizations, and some of his compositions were with well-known co-authors (including one with his daughter in 1929 by Hartford Music Company).

In addition to his music work, R. H. McNew was active in community, civic, and county affairs. For many years, he taught Sunday school and served as song leader at Centerville Methodist Church. He had extensive service with local and national government agencies, and he served as a Justice of the Peace for fifty-six (plus) years. He died August 29, 1992, and is buried by his wife, Stella (and myriad other relatives), in McNew Cemetery which was established by his great grandfather in 1858.

Note: R. H. McNew wrote more songs than are listed by Hymnary. org They include: (1) "The Father’s Plan" by R. H. McNew, copyright 1945, by Stamps-Baxter Music & Ptg. Co,, in "Living Grace" (2) "Waiting" by R. H. McNew and J. E. Roane, copyright 1962 by Stamps-Baxter Music & Ptg. Co., in "Gospel Way" Waiting was also printed by Rubytome Record and Publishing Company, Portland, Oregon, 1965, in "Rubytone Specials." (3) "He Means More Than The World To Me," by R. H. McNew, copyright 1971 by Stamps-Baxter Music & Ptg. Co. in "Joyful Praise." (4) "Traveling Onward," by R. H. McNew and Pauline McNew (Hines) owned by the authors and published by Hartford Music Company in 1929. (5) "Will Your Religion Stand the Test," by R. H. McNew (Harmony by J. E. Roane), copyright 1962 by Stamps=Baxter Music & Ptg. Co.. in "Singers’ Pride." (6) "My Loved Ones Are Waiting For Me," by R. H. McNew and J. E. Roane, copyright 1971 by Hartford Music Company in "Tell The World." (7) "I’m So Glad That Jesus Came, by R. H. McNew (harmony by Mrs. J. A. McClung) copyright 1922 by Hartford Music Company in "Wonderful Message."

Ben McNew