Marie Woody, age 85 of Oak Harbor, Washington passed away Tuesday, February 6, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Marie was born August 8, 1938, in Del Rio, Tennessee, the eldest daughter of Blaine Yates and Evelyn Willis. She was raised and attended school in Tennessee.
On December 30, 1954, Marie married Arnold Woody in New Port, Tennessee. Shortly after they were married, they packed up their belongings and said their goodbyes to family and moved to Washington, where they raised their family. Marie and Arnold were married 50 years.
Marie had a passion for life. She was an unselfish spirit, always concerned for others. She enjoyed traveling, listening and singing country music and gardening. She enjoyed most of all, spending time with her family. They always had a full house. She had a big heart for anyone that needed a place to stay or one of her delicious home-cooked meals. She was a beloved mother, Meme, sister, aunt, and friend to so many.
The most important thing to our parents was family. They instilled family values in each of their children and grandchildren by their examples.
Marie is survived by her four children, Eddie and Jodi Woody, Wisconsin; Carol and Randy Joy, Clear Lake, WA; Debbie and Joe Newby, Sedro-Woolley, WA and Sandy Tacker, Clear Lake; eleven grandchildren, Tracy Yorke, Brandon (Katie) Woody, Rickie Hodgin, Jessica (Jake) Fitzgerald, Kristie (Chris) Corbin, Joseph Newby, Tyler (Shannon) Tacker, Justin (Allison) Tacker, Ashley Summar, Carlie Kleinhans, and Katelyn (Elliott) Dodd; twenty-one great grandchildren and three great- great grandchildren; brother, Donald (Judy) Yates of Tennessee; sisters, Alice Henderson and Rita Turner both of Tennessee; numerous nieces and nephews; Audrey Reed who was like a daughter.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Arnold in 2004; brother, Haskell Yates; grandsons, Joseph Newby and Tyler Tacker.
Marie was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother (Meme) and friend; we were all blessed to have her in our lives, she will be missed by many.
A Celebration of Life will be Friday, February 16, 2024, at 1:00 pm at the Lyman Baptist Church, 31441 West Main Street, Lyman, WA, James Cook officiating.
The family wishes to express a special thank you and appreciation to all the staff at Homeplace, in Oak Harbor. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Dementia Society of America.
Please share your memories of Marie and sign the online guest register.
Just saw this tonight. Your mom was-So-special to me and my mom! Her warm smile just “Lit” up a room! She and your dads friendliness added a lot of happiness to my mom’s final life, my life and my deceased husbands life. God Bless Marie she was special! God Bless her family as I know your proud MaMa is in Heaven watching over all of you.
With much Love and Sorrow!
Janette M. Baker
Ray worked with Arnold at Howard Selfs shake mill. we loved Marie. she was so kind and caring.
So sorry for your loss Marie and Randy. Just now read this post.
So sorry for the loss of your mom, Sandy.
Marie woody was like a grandma to me.
She was fun to be around and always there to chat with if I had a problem.
You’re in my heart always, I love you!
And miss you!
I met her when l was sixteen and working with Arnold. She was gracious and beautiful a real lady. Prayers for your family
Marie, You are a “country soul” at heart with a beautiful country voice! I loved to hear you sing with your awesome southern twang. I loved getting to partake in your homemade country cooking. I loved your beautiful smile and your sweet, country charm. I loved your southern hospitality and your generous, giving heart.
To know YOU is to LOVE YOU, and I thank our precious LORD for putting you on our path of life. My family and I were so blessed to be a part of your family.
THANK YOU for loving us the way you did! It will never be forgotten!
Forever Grateful – Barbara (Reed) Easley and Family
Thank you Meme for welcoming Joseph and I into your family. You always were a pleasure to be around and made us feel like family. You are missed now and the world will be a lesser place without you in it. Rest in peace, my second mom . Love Joe.
Mom, I love you so much. The love I have for you could never compare to the love and support you had for all of us kids, Always sticking up for us, when it came to teachers or anyone else in charge until you heard our side, and making sure we had everything we needed… maybe not what we wanted, but what we needed. I always tell everyone we had the best childhood any kid could dream of. You and Dad gave us love and kindness to other we will never forget, and we try to pass the love to our children and our children’s children. My heart breaks until we meet again. 💔
Meme, I’ll miss you always. Thanksgiving and Holiday dinners were the best!! Your smile and wit are what I enjoyed most. Thank you for always welcoming everyone into your home and heart. Cracked me up the time I tried to help with the dinner dishes and you shooed me out, told me to go sit with the men folk!! I love you.
Praying for peace and comfort. Love Sherrill and Micki Yates