Alta Newman was born May 12, 1927 in Grand Bay, Alabama, the daughter of Alphia and Louella Jones Newman.
Alta was a graduate of Eupora, Mississippi High School, in the top 10% of her class.
She graduated from Memphis State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1970.
She graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Master of Science Degree in 1971 and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in 1978.
She was an Instructor at Memphis State University from 1971 until 1976.
She was Assistant Professor at the University of Northern Iowa from 1978 until 1980.
From 1981 until 1997 she held the position of full Tenured Professor at Baylor University where she initiated and was the Coordinator of the Interior Design Program. Her special interest in her education was the study of Architectural and Furniture History.
She did Post-Doctoral work in the Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University.
She retired in 1997 and was designated Professor Emeritus upon her retirement.
Alta's love for history and geography was the impetus for her extensive travels throughout the world, having traveled on five continents and some twenty-five countries.
However, her greatest love was for her family. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
Alta Lane departed this life on November 22, 2018 in Savannah, Tennessee at the age of 91 years, 6 months, 10 days.
She is survived by two daughters: Sheila Kathryn Williams and husband Shad of Adamsville, Tennessee and Belinda Michelle Hasenbeck and husband Jim of Edmond, Oklahoma; four grandchildren: Michael Williams and wife Lyn, Rachel Busse and husband Jon, Taylor Hasenbeck and wife Megan, and Blair Bennett and husband Michael; six great grandchildren, Christopher Williams, Jessica Williams, Alysa Williams, Lane Busse, Shadden Busse, and Olivia Busse; a brother, Dewey Newman of Ponte Vedra, Florida; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by two sisters: Dorothy Bumpus and Ann Ladd.