Janet Dixon Newton died on December 8, 2025 in Little Rock at the age of 84.

She is survived by her son and daughter – Gary Marvin Newton (Alanna) of Little Rock and Lisa Diane Newton of Memphis, her grandchildren – John Henry Dixon Newton of Fayetteville and Lilliana Rose Newton of Little Rock, and her sister Diane Dixon Zook (Randy) of Little Rock, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, Velma Fudge and Harry Powell Dixon, Jr.

She was married to the late Marvin Ray Newton from 1960 to 1973, with whom she had her two children.

Janet was born on January 15, 1941 in Batesville, Arkansas and was baptized at the Melbourne Church of Christ. A seventh generation native of the Arkansas Ozarks, she lived, at various times, in Melbourne, Batesville, Little Rock, Tyler, TX, Conway, Ozark, MO, Norfork, Mountain Home, Fayetteville, and Lebanon, MO.

After attending four different schools in the first grade, she remained in Melbourne until graduating in 1958. While a student at Melbourne, she played trumpet in the band and guard for the Lady Bearkatz basketball team. She was also crowned Miss Izard County and Poultry Princess.

Janet attended Arkansas State Teachers College (now University of Central Arkansas), where she was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and was selected for Founders Day royalty, a senior homecoming maid, and Who's Who. She graduated in three years with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree, majoring in Home Economics and minoring in Science.

For three successive summers, she attended graduate school at the University Arkansas, where she received her Master of Education degree in 1969. A lifelong learner, she completed many credit hours above her Master's at the University of Arkansas, Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University), and Drury College (now University).

From 1962 to 1964, she was a substitute teacher in Ozark, Missouri. She then taught Home Economics, Science, and Adult Home Economics in Norfork, Arkansas during the 1964-65 school year and was among the country's first Head Start teachers in the summer of 1965. In 1965-66, she taught science and family living at Mountain Home Junior High School, where she then served as guidance counselor from 1966 to 1974.

Following a move from Mountain Home and another year of graduate school at the University of Arkansas in 1974-75, she served as a high school guidance counselor at Lebanon (Missouri) High School from 1975 to 1990.

Multiple Sclerosis, diagnosed when she was 30, hastened an early disability retirement in 1990, followed by a return to her hometown of Melbourne, where she was an engaged member of the Melbourne, then Mill Creek Churches of Christ.

In 2010, progressive dementia prompted a move to assisted living in Little Rock near her son, his family, her sister, and brother-in-law. She regularly attended Sunday morning services at Pleasant Valley Church of Christ, followed by brunch with her family until a loss of mobility and transition to nursing care in 2021.

Janet was a gifted artist – on canvas, as a seamstress, and in the kitchen.

Throughout her life, she was devoted to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, her children and grandchildren, and her students. She cherished holidays with her family, cousins' reunions, and was a committed Razorback basketball and football fan who loved music, movies, Paul Newman and Pat Boone.

Contributions in honor of her life may be made to the Melbourne Cemetery Perpetual Fund (PO Box 664, Melbourne, AR 72556) and/or to the Harry Powell and Velma Fudge Dixon Memorial Scholarship at Ozarka College (PO Box 10, Melbourne, AR 72556). Please note the name of the scholarship in the memo line. Online contributions may be made at https://otc.ozarka.edu/foundation/index.cfm?event=giving (under Designations Required section, select Other and include the scholarship name in the comment box).

On Tuesday, December 16, 2025, Eddie's Family Funeral Home (79 Ballpark Road, Melbourne) will host visitation from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. Interment will immediately follow at Melbourne Cemetery alongside her beloved parents in the Fudge Family plot.

Pallbearers:  Jim Fudge, Keith Fudge, John Henry Dixon Newton, Brian Rosenthal, Terry Smith, Randy Zook.

To view photo slideshow visit: https://vimeo.com/1146476350