Barbara Pickens Newman, age 93, of Cherokee Hills passed away on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at the Life Care Center of Copper Basin in Ducktown. Mrs. Newman was born on December 15, 1927 in Knoxville, TN to the late Robert H. and Clara Halliburton Pickens. She was a member of Farner Presbyterian Church. She is preceded in death by her parents, her son, Robert H. Newman, and brother, Donald Pickens. Barbara was a 1948 graduate of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. She began her career teaching Home Economics at Ducktown High School from 1948-1953. While teaching, she met and fell in love with her husband, John Verlon "Chili" Newman, and they married December 1, 1951. For over 40 years, Verlon and Barbara owned and operated several grocery stores including the Piggly Wiggly grocery in Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina. She is survived by her husband of 69 years, John Verlon "Chili" Newman of Cherokee Hills; her son and spouse, Frank and Libby Newman of Blue Ridge, GA; daughter, Cheryl Luttrell of Ducktown, TN; as well as, three grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Due to the COVID pandemic and out of respect for the family, friends, and community no services are planned at this time. Interment was at Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery in Cherokee County, North Carolina. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Copperhill was in charge of the arrangements.