Virginia Lee Newton

She was a Christian believer, treasured wife, admired mother, loved grandmother, and precious sister.

She is survived by her loving husband of 41 years David Newton, son Scot Houghton and his wife Sue Houghton, son Dale Houghton and his wife Jill Houghton, granddaughters who she adored Sarah Houghton, Rachel Houghton, and Samantha Willenbrock with her husband Lt. Jacob Willenbrock, sister Sharon Gregory and family, brother Kenneth Lathrum and family, step-son Alex Newton and family, and step-son Glenn Newton and family.

Virginia is preceded in death by her parents Ivan Earl Lathrum and Agnes Marie Kolhede Lathrum, grandparents James and Elsie Lathrum, grandparents Christian and Ester Kolhede, niece Linda Smith, and brother-in-law Stan Gregory.

The funeral service celebrating Virginia Newton’s life will be held at 10:00 am, Monday, June 5, 2023, at the Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home, 2900 Williams Dr., Georgetown, TX 78628. General visitation begins at 9:00 am, with private family visitation at 8:30 am. The graveside service will take place immediately following funeral service.

Virginia was a loving, personable, energetic person who loved challenges. These were usually in the form of a Scrabble game, jigsaw puzzles, or a Sudoku puzzle in the newspaper. It was even better and enjoyed even more if she could participate with family. Virginia showed her passion for her family with customized cards for birthday and special occasions. Her cards included special paper, a carefully selected family photo, and a catchy poem or anecdote. She could not contain her creativity and the desire to express it with family. These prized cards have been saved through the years by appreciative family.

She met her husband and love of her life David Newton at a dance party. They were married in 1982 and were well-suited dance partners. They shuffled and two-stepped through the years in perfect step with each other through many of Austin’s country music venues. Other enjoyments together included cruises, traveling, and entertaining friends and family.

She loved her granddaughters greatly. Swimming pool time in her backyard was one of her favorite ways to love on her family. She was always ready and happy to attend granddaughters’ graduations, school events, and extracurricular activities. One of her favorite seasons was Christmastime. She decorated beautifully in her home and wore festive Christmas vests. She enjoyed indulging her family with gifts, especially her three granddaughters, and always hosted a delicious and elegant home-cooked meal.

Virginia had a successful career starting in 1967 at the Texas Veterinary Medical Association as an Administrative Assistant. In 1977 she became a member of the American Society of Association Executives and TSAE Toastmasters International, an international speaking organization. That same year she made a job change becoming the Communications Coordinator for the Texas Society of Professional Engineers. She worked there for two years before branching out in 1983 on her own as an Association Management Consultant. From 1985 to 1990 she put her professional career on hold to care for her ailing parents. In 1987 she began to pursue her goal of earning a bachelors college degree. The idea occurred to her in the 1960’s, she made it a goal in the 1970’s, and finally realized that goal in 1993 with a Bachelor of Journalism degree from The University of Texas at 53 years of age. While attending college she was listed in the ‘Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges’ 1991 edition. In 1993 after graduating she became an independent Association Management Consultant. She was hired as an Association Executive Director in 1995 by the Texas Academy of General Dentistry (TAGD) and successfully led that association until April 11, 2003, upon her retirement.

Virginia will be sorely missed by her family, friends, and all who knew her.

1 Thessalonians 4:13

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldendavisfuneralhome.com for the Newton family.