Jo Newton Obituary

Jo Dawn Teagarden Newton was raised in tranquil western Pennsylvania. Her parents are Bill and Joan Teagarden, of Leechburg. She was the 1973 Kiski Area High School Homecoming Queen and later selected to compete in the Miss Teenage Pennsylvania contest. Jody moved to Washington, DC, after attending David Lipscomb College in Nashville, and served with the National Capital Planning Commission. She loved returning home to visit her folks and her four brothers, Lee, Mark, David and Sam, all from Leechburg. Jody met her future husband, then Cadet Dick Newton, at the Air Force Academy on a blind date during his graduation week festivities in May 1978. Engaged shortly thereafter, they were married 43 years, raising two beautiful daughters, Elizabeth and Addy, and then two wonderful sons (in-laws) came along whom she adored. Also, most precious to her were three grandchildren and one more on the way. Her last home was in Jupiter, Fla. The Newtons started a family in 1985 with their first daughter, Elizabeth. Her and husband Matthew reside in Jupiter, Fla., also where they raise two of her three grandchildren. Their second daughter, Adelia, is married to Major Robert Wilson, a Air Force special operations pilot. They have a son and expecting a daughter later this summer. Jody considered raising two daughters her greatest accomplishment. During 34 years of service as an Air Force wife, she established eighteen households from California to Washington, DC. Her and her husband's Air Force journey culminated as a Lieutenant General and the Assistant Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, most notably residing at the historic quarters Belle Chance at Andrews Air Force Base outside the nation's capital. She painstakingly brought this newly renovated expansive residence and grounds back to life formally hosting international dignitaries and numerous congressional and senior government leaders among others. As result of years of dedication supporting the mission of the Air Force and significantly improving the lives of thousands of Air Force family members, Jody received the USAF Exceptional Service Award, by order of the Secretary of the Air Force, the Honorable Michael Donley in April 2012. Her passion was vocal music. She was an accomplished vocalist and for years studied with renowned soprano Lucille Szabo. Jody performed on a number stages from the international North Dakota Fall Festival to the World War Two Memorial in Washington, DC. She performed before many audiences; among her most treasured performances was singing our National Anthem for military ceremonies and other gala events. Jody's priorities were God, Nation and Family. She was committed to a life of service and despite the tormenting cancer towards the end of life, she counted her blessings every day. She would want us all to celebrate her life and be strong in our faith, keep defending our freedoms and never stop loving one another. Jody will be interned Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, at Arlington National Cemetery.