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EXHIBIT 10.1 - CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT, DATED SEPTEMBER 18, 2001, BETWEEN
COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND KERRI C. NEWTON

                           CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT

         THIS CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated this 18th
day of September, 2001, by and between Community Bancshares, Inc. a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and Kerri C. Newton (the Executive").

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, the Company wishes to assure itself and its key employees of
continuity of management and objective judgment in the event of any actual or
contemplated Change in Control of the Company, and the Executive is a key
employee of the Company or one of its subsidiaries and is an integral part of
management of the Company (for purposes hereof employment with any present or
future parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company shall be considered
employment by the Company); and

         WHEREAS, this Agreement is not intended to materially alter the
compensation and benefits that the Executive could reasonably expect to receive
in the absence of a Change in Control of the Company, and this Agreement
accordingly will be operative only upon circumstances relating to an actual or
anticipated change in control of the Company.

         NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants herein contained, the parties hereby agree as follows:

         I.       OPERATION OF AGREEMENT

         This Agreement shall be effective immediately upon its execution by the
parties hereto, but anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
neither the Agreement nor any provision hereof shall be operative unless, during
the term of this Agreement, there has been a Change in Control of the Company
during the term of this Agreement, all of the provisions hereof shall become
operative immediately.

         II.      TERM OF AGREEMENT

         The term of this Agreement shall be for an initial three (3) year
period commencing on the date hereof; provided however that this Agreement shall
be extended automatically for one (1) additional year at the end of this initial
term and at the end of each additional year thereafter, unless the Compensation
Committee delivers written notice twelve (12) months prior to the end of such
term, or extended term, to the Executive, that the Agreement will not be
extended. In such case, the Agreement will terminate at the end of the term, or
extended term, then in progress.

         However, in the event a Change in Control occurs during the original or
any extended term, this Agreement will remain in effect until all obligations of
the Company hereunder have been fulfilled, and until all benefits required
hereunder have been paid to the Executive.


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         III.     DEFINITIONS

         1.       "BOARD" or "BOARD OF DIRECTORS" - the Board of Directors of
         the Company.

         2.       "CAUSE" - either

                  (I)      any act that constitutes, on the part of the
         Executive, (A) fraud, dishonesty, a felony or gross malfeasance of
         duty, and (B) that directly results in material injury to the Company;
         or

                  (ii)     conduct by the Executive in his office with the
         Company that is grossly inappropriate and demonstrably likely to lead
         to material injury to the Company, as determined by the Board acting
         reasonably and in good faith;

         provided, however, that in the case of (ii) above, such conduct shall
         not constitute Cause unless the Board shall have delivered to the
         Executive notice setting forth with specificity (A) the conduct deemed
         to qualify as Cause, (B) reasonable action that would remedy such
         objection, and (c) a reasonable time (not less than thirty (30) days)
         within which the Executive may take such remedial action, and the
         Executive shall not have taken such specified remedial action within
         such specified reasonable time.

         3.       "CHANGE IN CONTROL" - Either

                  (i) the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any "person"
         (as such term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities
         Exchange Act of 1937, as amended), other than those persons in control
         of the Company as of the effective date of this Agreement, within any
         twelve (12) month period of securities of the Company representing an
         aggregate of twenty percent (20%) or more of the combined voting power
         of the Company's then outstanding securities; or

                  (ii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals
         who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, cease for any
         reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, unless the election
         of each new director was approved in advance by a vote of at least a
         majority of the directors then still in office who were directors at
         the beginning of the period; or

                  (iii) consummation of (a) a merger, consolidation or other
         business combination of the Company with any other "person" (as such
         term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
         of 1934, as amended) or affiliate thereof, other than a merger,
         consolidation or business combination which would result in the
         outstanding common stock of the Company immediately prior thereto
         continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being
         converted into common stock of the surviving entity or a parent or
         affiliate thereof) at least sixty (60)% of the outstanding common stock
         of the Company or such surviving entity or parent or affiliate thereof
         outstanding immediately after such merger, consolidation or business
         combination, or (b) a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an
         agreement for the sale of disposition by the Company of all or
         substantially all of the Company's assets; or

                  (iv) the occurrence of any other event or circumstance which
         is not covered by (i) through (iii) above which the Board determines
         affects control of the Company and, in order to implement the purposes
         of this Agreement as set forth above, adopts a resolution that such
         event or circumstance constitutes a Change in Control for the purposes
         of this Agreement.


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         4.       "CODE" - the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

         5.       "COMPENSATION COMMITTEE" - the Executive Compensation
         Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company, or any successor
         committee.

         6.       "DISABILITY" - total and permanent disability under the
         Corporation=s long-term disability plan.

         7.       "EXCESS SEVERANCE PAYMENT" - the term "Excess Severance
         Payment" shall have the same meaning as the term "excess parachute
         payment" defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code.

         8.       "INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION" - termination of the Executive's
         employment by the Executive following a Change in Control which, in the
         reasonable judgment of the Executive, is due to (i) a change of the
         Executive's responsibilities, position (including status, office,
         title, reporting relationships or working conditions), authority or
         duties (including changes resulting from the assignment to the
         Executive of any duties inconsistent with his positions, duties or
         responsibilities as in effect immediately prior to the Change in
         Control); or (ii) a reduction in the Executive's compensation or
         benefits as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control, or
         (iii) a forced relocation of the Executive's primary place of
         employment to a place more than fifty (50) miles from the Executive's
         primary place of employment immediately prior to the Change in Control.
         Involuntary Termination does not include Retirement, death or
         Disability of the Executive.

         9.       "PRESENT VALUE" - The term "Present Value" shall have the same
         meaning as provided in Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code.

         10.      "SEVERANCE PAYMENT" - The term "Severance Payment" shall have
         the same meaning as the term "parachute payment" defined in Section
         280G(b)(2) of the Code.

         11.      "REASONABLE COMPENSATION" - The term "Reasonable Compensation"
         shall have the same meaning as provided in Section 280G(b)(4) of the
         Code.

         12.      "RETIREMENT" - termination of employment at or after the
         Executive's 65th birthday.


<PAGE>

IV.      BENEFITS UPON TERMINATION FOLLOWING A CHANGE IN CONTROL

         1.       TERMINATION - The Executive shall be entitled to, and the
         Company shall pay or provide to the Executive, the benefits described
         in Section 2 below if (a) a Change in Control occurs during the term of
         this Agreement, and (b) the Executive's employment is terminated within
         thirty (30) months following the Change in Control either (i) by the
         Company (other than for Cause or by reason of the Executive's
         Retirement, death or Disability) or (ii) by the Executive pursuant to
         Involuntary Termination; provided, however, that if:

         (a)      during the term of this Agreement there is a public
         announcement of a proposal for a transaction that, if consummated,
         would constitute a Change in Control or the Board receives and decides
         to explore an expression of interest with respect to a transaction
         which, if consummated, would lead to a Change in Control (either
         transaction being referred to herein as the "Proposed Transaction");
         and

         (b)      the Executive's employment is thereafter terminated by the
         Company other than for Cause or by reason of the Executive's
         Retirement, death or Disability; and

         (c)      the Proposed Transaction is consummated within one (1) year
         after the date of termination of the Executive's employment.

         then, for the purposes of this Agreement, a Change in Control shall be
         deemed to have occurred during the term of this Agreement and the
         termination of the Executive's employment shall be deemed to have
         occurred within thirty (30) months following a Change in Control.

         The executive shall also be entitled to receive the benefits described
         in Section 2 below if he terminates employment for any reason during a
         30-day period beginning twelve months after the occurrence of a Change
         in Control.

         2.       BENEFITS TO BE PROVIDED - If the Executive becomes eligible
for benefits under Section 1 above, the Company shall pay or provide to the
Executive the benefits set forth in this Section 2.

         (a)      SALARY - The Executive will continue to receive his current
salary (subject to withholding of all applicable taxes and any amounts referred
to in Section 2(c) below) for a period of thirty (30) months from his date of
termination in the same manner as it was being paid as of the date of
termination; provided, however, that the salary payments provided for hereunder
shall be paid in a single lump sum payment, to be paid not later than thirty
(30) days after his termination of employment; provided further, that the amount
of such lump sum payment shall be determined by taking the salary payments to be
made and discounting them to their Present Value. For purposes hereof, the
Executive's "current salary" shall be the highest rate in effect during the
six-month period prior to the Executive's termination.

         (b)      BONUSES - The Executive shall receive payments from the
Company for the thirty (30) months following the month in which this employment
is terminated in an amount for each such month equal to one-twelfth of the
average of the bonuses earned by her for the two calendar years immediately
preceding the year in which such termination occurs. Any bonus amounts that the
Executive had previously earned from the Company but which may not yet have been
paid as of the date of termination shall not be affected by this provision,
other than to serve as a measurement for this portion of the


<PAGE>

severance benefit. The bonus amounts determined herein shall be paid in a single
lump sum payment, to be paid not later than 30 days after termination of
employment; provided, further, that the amount of such lump sum payment shall be
determined by taking the bonus payments (as of the payment date) to be made and
discounting them to their Present Value.

         (c)      HEALTH AND LIFE INSURANCE COVERAGE - The health and life
insurance benefits coverage provided to the Executive at his date of termination
shall be continued at the same level and in the same manner as if his employment
had not terminated (subject to the customary changes in such coverages if the
Executive retires or reaches age 65 or similar events), beginning on the date of
such termination and ending on the date thirty (30) months from the date of such
termination. Any additional coverages the Executive had at termination,
including dependent coverage, will also be continued for such period at the same
level and on the same terms as provided to the Executive immediately prior to
his termination, to the extent permitted by the applicable policies or contract.
Any costs Executive was paying for such coverages at the time of termination
shall be paid by the Executive by separate check payable to the Company each
month in advance. If the terms of any benefit plan referred to in this Section
do not permit continued participation by the Executive, then the Company will
arrange for other coverage at its expense providing substantially similar
benefits as it can find for other officers in similar positions.

         (d)      EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS - To the extent permitted by the
applicable plan, the Executive will be fully vested in and will be entitled to
continue to participate, consistent with past practices, in all employee
retirement plans maintained by the Company in effect as of his date of
termination. The Executive's participation in such retirement plans shall
continue for a period of thirty (30) months from the date of termination of his
employment (at which point he will be considered to have terminated employment
within the meaning of the plans) and the compensation payable to the executive
under (a) and (b) above shall be treated (unless otherwise excluded) as
compensation under the plan. If full vesting and continued participation in any
plan is not permitted, the Company shall pay to the executive and, if
applicable, his beneficiary, a supplemental benefit equal to the Present Value
on the date of termination of employment of the excess of (i) the benefit the
Executive would have been paid under such plan if she had been fully vested and
had continued to be covered for the 30-month period as if the Executive had
earned compensation described under (a) and (b) above and had made contributions
sufficient to earn the maximum matching contribution, if any, under such plan
(less any amounts she would have been required to contribute), over (ii) the
benefit actually payable to or on behalf of the Executive under such plan. For
purposes of determining the benefit under (i) in the preceding sentence,
contributions deemed to be made under a defined contribution plan will be deemed
to be invested in the same manner as the Executive's account under such plan at
the time of termination of employment. The Company shall pay such supplemental
benefits (if any) in a lump sum.

         (e)      CAREER COUNSELING - The Company will provide career counseling
and out placement services on an individual basis to the Executive as the
Company deems appropriate and for a reasonable period following the Executive's
termination of employment; provided, however, that the Company's obligation to
provide such services shall terminate at such time, if any, as the cost of such
services exceeds $5,000.

         (f)      EFFECT OF LUMP SUM PAYMENT - The lump sum payment under (a) or
(b) above shall not alter the amounts the Executive is entitled to receive under
the benefit plans described in (c) and (d) above. Benefits under such plans
shall be determined as if the Executive had remained employed and received such
payments over a period of thirty (30) months.

         (g)      EFFECT OF DEATH OR RETIREMENT - The benefits payable or to be
provided under this


<PAGE>

Agreement shall continue in the event of the Executive's death and shall be
payable to his estate or named beneficiary. The benefits payable or to be
provided under this Agreement shall cease in the event of the Executive's
election to commence Retirement benefits under the Company's retirement plan.

         (h)      TOTAL BENEFIT - Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to
the contrary, the Total Benefit payable or to be provided to the Executive by
the Company or an affiliate, whether pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise,
shall be calculated so as to provide the greatest total benefit to the Executive
after taxes. The Company shall calculate, or authorize an independent third
party to calculate, the Executive=s Total Benefit under three different methods
and make payment to the Executive according to the method that provides the
Executive with the greatest total benefit after taxes.

         (i)      TOTAL BENEFIT CALCULATION - The three methods of benefit
calculation shall include the Limited Benefit Method, the Unlimited Benefit
Method and the Grossed Up Unlimited Benefit Method, as each is defined herein.
Under the Limited Benefit Method, the Executive=s Total Benefit shall be
determined as defined in this Section IV and then modified or reduced to the
extent necessary so that the benefits payable or to be provided to the Executive
under this Agreement that are treated as Severance Payments, as well as any
payments or benefits provided outside of this Agreement that are so treated,
shall not cause the Company to have paid an Excess Severance Payment. In
computing such amount, the parties shall take into account all provisions of
Internal Revenue Code Section 280G, including making appropriate adjustments to
such calculation for amounts established to be Reasonable Compensation. In the
event that the amount of any Severance Payments that would be payable to or for
the benefit of the Executive under this Agreement must be modified or reduced,
the Executive shall direct which Severance Payments are to be modified or
reduced; provided, however, that no increase in the amount of any payment or
change in the timing of the payment shall be made without the consent of the
Company. The Limited Benefit Method shall be interpreted so as to avoid the
imposition of excise taxes on the Executive under Section 4999 of the Code or
the disallowance of a deduction to the Company pursuant to Section 280G(a) of
the Code with respect to amounts payable under this Agreement or otherwise. The
Executive shall be responsible for any and all federal and state income taxes
associated with the Limited Benefit Method. Under the Unlimited Benefit Method,
the Total Benefit payable to the Executive shall be determined as defined in
this Section IV and shall not be reduced or modified in any manner. The
Executive shall be responsible for any and all income, excise and/or other taxes
associated with the Unlimited Benefit Method. Under the Grossed Up Unlimited
Benefit Method, the Executive=s Total Benefit shall be determined as defined in
this Section IV with no reduction, and an additional payment shall be made to
the Executive by the Company with such additional payment equal to the amount of
any excise tax on the Total Benefit plus the estimated federal and state income
taxes and any excise tax associated with the additional payment.

         (j)      NO OBLIGATION TO FUND - The agreement of the Company (or its
successor) to make payments to the Executive hereunder shall represent solely
the unsecured obligation of the Company (and its successor), except to the
extent the Company (or its successors) in its sole discretion elects in whole or
in part to fund its obligations under this Agreement pursuant to a trust
arrangement or otherwise.

         V.       MISCELLANEOUS

         1.       CONTRACT NON-ASSIGNABLE - The parties acknowledge that this
Agreement has been entered into due to, among other things, the special skills
of the Executive, and agree that this Agreement may not be assigned or
transferred by the Executive, in whole or in part, without the prior written
consent of the Company. Any business entity succeeding to all or substantially
all of the business of the Company by purchase, merger, consolidation, sale of
assets or otherwise, shall be bound by this Agreement.


<PAGE>

         2.       OTHER AGENTS - Nothing in this Agreement is to be interpreted
as limiting the Company from employing other personnel on such terms and
conditions as may be satisfactory to the Company.

         3.       NOTICES - All notices, requests, demands and other
communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given if delivered or seven days after mailing if
mailed, first class, certified mail, postage prepaid:

To the Company:                     Community Bancshares, Inc.
                                    P. O. Box 1000
                                    Blountsville, Alabama 35031

To the Executive:                   Kerri C. Newton
                                    1191 Berwick Road
                                    Birmingham, Alabama 35242

Any party may change the address to which notices, requests, demands and other
communications shall be delivered or mailed by giving notice thereof to the
other party in the same manner provided herein.


<PAGE>

         4.       PROVISIONS SEVERABLE - If any provision or covenant, or any
part thereof, of this Agreement should be held by any court to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable, either in whole or in part, such invalidity,
illegality or unenforceability shall not affect the validity, legality or
enforceability of the remaining provisions or covenants, or any part thereof, of
this Agreement, all of which shall remain in full force and effect.

         5.       WAIVER - Failure of either party to insist, in one or more
instances, on performance by the other in strict accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of
any right granted in this Agreement or of the future performance of any such
term or condition or of any other term or condition of this Agreement, unless
such waiver is contained in a writing signed by the party making the waiver.

         6.       AMENDMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS - This Agreement may be amended
or modified only by a writing signed by both parties hereto, which makes
specific reference to this Agreement.

         7.       GOVERNING LAW - The validity and effect of this Agreement
shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of
the State of Alabama.

         8.       ARBITRATION OF DISPUTES; EXPENSES - The parties agree that all
disputes that may arise between them relating to the interpretation or
performance of this Agreement, including matters relating to any funding
arrangements for the benefits provided under this Agreement, shall be determined
by binding arbitration through an arbitrator approved by the American
Arbitration Association or other arbitrator mutually acceptable to the parties.
The award of the arbitrator shall be final and binding upon the parties and
judgment upon the award rendered may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction. In the event the Executive incurs legal fees and other expenses in
seeking to obtain or to enforce any such rights or benefits through settlement,
arbitration or otherwise, the Company shall promptly pay the Executive's
reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred in enforcing this Agreement.

         9.       INDEMNITY - The Executive shall be entitled to the benefits of
the indemnity currently applicable to the Executive, if any, as provided by the
Company's articles of incorporation or bylaws. Any changes to the articles of
incorporation or bylaws reducing the indemnity granted to officers shall not
affect the rights granted hereunder. The Company may not reduce these indemnity
benefits confirmed to the Executive hereunder without the written consent of the
Executive.

         10.      TERMINATION OF PRIOR AGREEMENTS - The Executive hereby agrees
to a mutual termination, effective as of the effective date of this Agreement,
of any prior existing change in control agreements (by whatever name), providing
benefits to the Executive upon a termination of employment following a Change in
Control of the Company, to which she and the Company are parties, and as to such
prior agreements, if any, the Executive releases all claims, rights and
entitlements.

         11.      REGULATORY APPROVALS - The Agreement, and the rights and
obligations of the parties hereto, shall be subject to approval of the same by
any and all regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the Company, to the
extent such approval is required by law, regulation, or order.

         12.      REGULATOR INTERVENTION - Notwithstanding any term of this
Agreement to the contrary, this Agreement is subject to the following terms and
conditions:

         (a)      The Company's obligations to provide compensation or other
benefits to Executive under this Agreement may be suspended if the Company has
been served with a notice of charges by the


<PAGE>

appropriate federal banking agency under provisions of Section 8 of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1818) directing the Company to cease making
payments required hereunder; provided, however, that

                  (I)      The Company shall seek in good faith with its best
         efforts to oppose such notice of charges as to which there are
         reasonable defenses;

                  (ii)     In the event the notice of charges is dismissed or
         otherwise resolved in a manner that will permit the Company to resume
         its obligations to provide compensation or other benefits hereunder,
         the Company shall immediately resume such payments and shall also pay
         Executive the compensation withheld while the contract obligations were
         suspended, except to the extent precluded by such notice; and

                  (iii)    During the period of suspension, the vested rights of
         the contracting parties shall not be affected, except to the extent
         precluded by such notice.

         (b)      The Company's obligations to provide compensation or other
benefits to Executive under this Agreement shall be terminated to the extent a
final order has been entered by the appropriate federal banking agency under
provisions of Section 8 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1818)
directing the Company not to make the payments required hereunder; provided,
however, that the vested rights of the contracting parties shall not be affected
by such order, except to the extent precluded by such order.

         (c)      The Company's obligations to provide compensation or other
benefits to Executive under this Agreement shall be terminated or limited to the
extent required by the provisions of any final regulation or order of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Company promulgated under Section 18(k) of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1828(k)) limiting or prohibiting any "golden
parachute payment" as defined therein, but only to the extent that the
compensation or payments to be provided under this Agreement are so prohibited
or limited.

         (d)      Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be
required to make any payments under this Agreement prohibited by law; provided,
however, that the Company will use reasonable efforts to remove, if possible,
any legal obstacle which prevents the Company from making the payments called
for by this Agreement.


<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be
executed on its behalf by its duly authorized officers and the Executive has
hereunto set his hand, as of the date and year first above written.

                                       COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC.



                                       By: /s/ Kennon R. Patterson
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Chairman, President and
                                          Chief Executive Officer

Attest:



/s/ William H. Caughran
------------------------------------
Secretary

(CORPORATE SEAL)

                                       EXECUTIVE



                                       /s/ Kerri C. Newton
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       Kerri C. Newton



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