Patricia Blair Newlin

Patricia Blair Newlin was born in Burlington, North Carolina on December 26, 1942 to Jesse Blair Newlin and Rachael McPherson.

From stories about her growing up, Patricia enjoyed an exceptionally happy childhood and adolescence. Following high school Patricia attended Meredith College, a private women’s college in Raleigh, North Carolina, graduating in 1964 with a major in social work. During this time, Patricia met JD, an aspiring architect. After graduation, they married and relocated to Houston, Texas, with Patricia starting a life long commitment to children and families in the social work field. Patricia and JD divorced and she relocated to Dallas, Texas to work in the Regional Office of Administration for Children, Youth. and Families specializing in the development and implementation of children and family national and regional policy.

Patricia met her current husband, Joe Woodard while both of them worked for ACYF. She worked for ACYF for more than 30 years before retiring. In the mid-1990s, while working full time, she began her social work Ph.D. program at UT Arlington, graduating in 1997. As a student and for several more years Patricia taught a variety of courses to Undergraduate and Master’s students at UTA in child welfare policy, community practice, and social work administration. Shortly before their retirement, Joe and Patricia transferred to Honolulu, Hawaii to work for the state regional office of ACYF. During that time, Patricia also taught courses for the University of Hawaii School of Social Work, mostly online to the outer islands. The academic life of research, teaching, and community service became a passion which was a major source of professional fulfillment for Patricia.

Patricia is preceded in death by her father, Jesse Newlin, her mother, Rachel Hall, her stepfather, Dewey Hall, and her step son, Joseph Woodard IV.

She is survived by her husband, Joseph Albert Woodard III.

The service celebrating her life will be held at Moore Funeral Home on January 5th at 10:00am. There will be a viewing from 9:00am—9:45am preceding the service.

In lieu of flowers please send a donation to: Meredith College 3800 Hillsborough St Raleigh, NC 27607

A visitation for Patricia will be held Thursday, January 5, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Moore Funeral Home, 1219 North Davis Drive, Arlington, TX 76012, followed by a funeral service from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.moore-funeralhome.com for the Newlin family.