Patsy (Pat) R. Newton, 89, of Athens, passed away on April 23, 2018 at Morning Pointe of Athens.
She was preceded in death by her parents Ralph R. Rouland of Beaumont, California and Laurie J. Lancaster of Rutledge, Georgia; her only sibling Myra R. Muscisk of Flowery Branch, Georgia, a son George Alan Newton and his wife B.J. Newton of Seneca, South Carolina, a granddaughter Gretchan Alana Newton of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and one son-in-law, David F. Harrod of Athens.
Born in Springfield, Illinois she moved to Rutledge, Georgia at an early age. She graduated from Rutledge High School, attended the University of Georgia, Georgia Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in Atlanta, Georgia and served in the United States Army Nurse Corps during World War II. In 1976 she chose to continue her education at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where she graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work. Before her retirement from the Tennessee State Department of Mental Health/Mental Retardation she was employed as Program Coordinator at Tri County Center and Clinician at Hiwassee Mental Health Center in the Day Treatment Program.
She was a member of Eastanallee Baptist Church in Riceville where she was president of the J.O.Y. Sunday school class.
She is survived by her husband, George Newton of Athens; a son and his companion, Steve Newton and June Colella of Hilton Head, SC; a daughter and her husband, Vicki and Buck Arnwine, and a daughter Laurie Ann Newton of Athens; two granddaughters, Laurie Lea McNulty and husband Matthew of Cleveland, and Melissa Ann Newton Woreniki of Hightstown, New Jersey; six grandsons, Trey Newton and wife Leidy of Etowah, David Harrod and wife April of Lexington,TN, Andrew Harrod and wife Cara of Cleveland, Ehrick Lamb and his companion Laura of Athens, Jordan Lamb of Maryville, and Chris Rodgers of Nashville; eight great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Jan Portman of Atlanta; several nieces and nephews ; and special friends, Blanche Landers, Sandra Newton, Dean McKeehan and Juanita Robinson.
A memorial service will be conducted 11:30 am, Thursday, April 26, 2018 at Smith Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Jackson officiating. There will be no formal visitation.
Memorials may be made to Tri County Center, 3030 Lee Highway, Athens, TN 37303; or Eastanallee Baptist Church,482 Co. Rd. 725,Riceville, TN 37370.