Obituary of Kathryn Newton

Services for Kathryn (Jones) Newton, 80, of Abernathy, TX, were held at 11:00 am Friday, August 17, 2012, in the Church of Christ with Branden Denton and Clifton Newton officiating. Burial followed in the Abernathy Cemetery under the direction of Abell Funeral Home and Flower Shop of Abernathy, TX. The family received friends at Abell Funeral Home Thursday, August 16, 2012 from 6:00 pm until 7:30 pm Mrs. Newton died Tuesday, August 14, 2012, in Lubbock, TX. She was born October 14, 1931 in Abernathy, TX. Her family moved to County Line, TX when she was 2 and she attended the first 3 years of school there. She graduated from Abernathy High School in 1948 as Class Salutatorian. She earned her B.S. in Biology from Abilene Christian College and her Masters in Physiology from the University of Texas. After graduating she moved to Houston, TX where she taught general science at Houston Christian School. She returned to Lubbock and taught at Lubbock Christian High School prior to returning to Abernathy in 1967, where she taught at Abernathy High School for 30 years teaching physical science, chemistry, physics and advanced science, retiring in 1997. She married Doyce Newton on October 23, 1955 in Anton, TX. She was the Girl Scout Troop leader for many years in Abernathy. In 1991 she was awarded the High School Chemistry Teacher of the Year by the South Plains American Chemistry Society. In the 1980's, one of her students honored her by dedicating his Doctoral Disortation to her. In 1999, the Abernathy ISD dedicated the new science wing of the high school in her honor, but her greatest joys in her teaching career was taking students to UIL Science events, where several of them would go on to win at the State Science Levels. She was preceded by a sister, Dovie Barron in 1992. She is survived by her husband Doyce Newton of Abernathy, TX, 2 daughters, Lyntha Hill and husband John of Abernathy and Kanice Newton of Lubbock, TX, 5 grandchildren, Meghan, Wesley and Jase Hill and Jeslin and Alex Newton. The family would like to express special thanks to Velda Moses, caregiver, special friend and member of the family, for several years; to the Biomedical Clinic, who added many extra years and quality to her life; Bettie Hardin, who sent weekly encouragement cards and was a personal family friend for many years. The Newton family also would like to commend the UMC Staff for their kind and compassionate care that was given to Kathryn and all of the family. Memorials may be sent to the Children's Home of Lubbock, P. O. Box 2824, Lubbock, TX 79408 or to the Abernathy ISD, Scholarship Fund, 1202 2nd Street, Abernathy, TX 79311.