Submitted by Chafin Beckom Pitts
I am a second generation Newnanite, born in Newnan and grew up in and around the city. I moved away when I married my husband, Justin Pitts, who is from Griffin, to accompany him during his time in service. Other than being “home”, The City of Homes means many things to me. I could go on for days about the memories! My late grandfather W.L. Beckom owned B&C Amoco, my grandfather Rev. D.L. Moody preached for many years in Newnan, and much of my family still lives in and around the city. When I think of downtown Newnan, my mind immediately jumps to Christmas. Christmas was the favorite holiday of my late grandmother, Peggy Moody. I vividly remember the lights of the buildings illuminating the foggy backseat window where I’d sit with my face pressed to the cool glass. My grandfather would drive us all over Newnan to see the lights but my favorite was always the lit magnolias that stood in front of the old Newnan Hospital (both I and my older brother were born there) on the corner of Jackson and Clark streets. The magnitude of those trees always amazed me. Memories of Christmas in Newnan are some that I hold nearest and dearest to my heart; the anticipation of Santa’s visit and spending time with one of my most favorite people on Earth, my Nana. When coming home, I think of her and the welcoming feeling I always felt at her house when I enter the city limits. Whether I’m in Texas, North Carolina, New Hampshire, or now Oklahoma, Newnan is and will always be home to me and every visit makes it harder and harder to leave. I love coming home to something new, but I love even more that Newnan honors it’s past. Everything about Newnan is what I carry with me in my heart when I’m away: the pride of being a southerner, the pride of being a small towner, and the love of the family there waiting for me to return.