Virgil Newbern, 96, of Tifton passed away Sunday, January 25, 2026, at his residence surrounded by his family. His funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 30, 2026, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with the Rev. Junior Stone officiating. Mr. Newbern will be laid to rest at a later date. The family will receive friends on Friday, January 30, 2026, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of the service.
Born November 3, 1929, in Tifton, Mr. Newbern was the son of the late Benjamin Newbern and Janie Young Newbern. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Exum Newbern; one son, Leon Doyle Newbern; one daughter, Penny Newbern; and three brothers, Austin Newbern Odis Newbern and Leroy Newbern.
Music was a very big part of Virgil’s life, and he was an accomplished musician. He performed in many venues all over the Southeast with the Pine Valley Boys. Because of his popularity in the music field and his natural talent, he was inducted into the Georgia Country Music Hall of Fame.
Mr. Newbern is survived by three sons, Denzil Newbern and Benny DeWayne Newbern and Ray Newbern, all of Tifton; three daughters, Diane Sumner and Darlene Jordan, both of Brookfield and Teresa Lewis of Valdosta; and several grandchildren.