Marie V. Woody

Marie Woody of Stanton, Texas passed away Wednesday, December 22, 2021. She is survived by her children Linda (Steve) Cobb, Carolyn (Michael) VanDyke, Jim (Julie) Woody, six grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Acey Vandever, her husband Pete, and loving sister Billie Jean Lively.

Marie was born in San Angelo, Texas on September 25, 1928, to Charles and Acey Vandever.  She grew up in Tyler, Texas and graduated from John Tyler High School. She attended Lamar University and earned a Bachelor’s in History degree and a Master’s in Education degree at the University of North Texas.  She was an elementary school teacher in Banquete and Baytown, Texas before joining her sister, Billie Jean Lively, in Stanton where she taught 1^st and 4^th grade.   She met and married J.N. “Pete” Woody, a local farmer and rancher in February 1956.

Marie loved the companionship within the Stanton community and was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Stanton until retiring to The Village at Manor Park. She was a member of the Stanton Chapter of Eastern Star for 61 years and the Big Spring Chapter of the Social Order of the Beauceant for over 20 years. She was a supporter of the Martin County Library encouraging all to be strong and avid readers. Marie enjoyed volunteering and visiting with her friends at the Martin County Senior Center. She was active in City of Midland and Midland YMCA water exercise programs as a student and substitute instructor for many years. Determined to earn the physically challenging water instructor certificate at Texas Tech University she succeeded despite being 40 years senior to the next eldest student in the program.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Monday, December 27, 2021, at Gilbreath Funeral Home in Stanton. Services will be held at 1:00 pm Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at Evergreen Cemetery Chapel. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

The family suggests memorials to Martin County Library, P.O. Box 1187, Stanton, Texas 79782, or Martin County Senior Citizens, 210 Convent St, Stanton, TX 79782.