Yvonne E. Woodruff

She graduated from Mississippi State College for Women in 1946 and moved to Washington, D.C. to work for the National Education Association. She met Paden E. Woodruff Jr., a Naval Academy grad and 2nd Lieutenant in the Marine Corps, at a Sunday afternoon tea dance. In three weeks they were engaged and five months later they were married. Col. Woodruff died in 2011 shortly before their 64th wedding anniversary. Mrs. Woodruff was known to extol his virtues (and his looks). As she faced the end of her life she said she did not fear death because she had a “perfectly good husband” waiting for her. The family is sure he met her with open arms. Mrs. Woodruff’s funeral service is Sunday, April 17, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Pickens. Visitation is at 1:30 p.m. in the sanctuary, and burial follows at Hillcrest Memorial Park, Pickens.

Mrs. Woodruff is survived by her children: Carolyn W. Rogers of Rock Hill, SC; Paden E. (Woody) Woodruff III and his wife, Joy, of Tallahassee, FL; Robert R. (Tex) Woodruff and his wife, Martha, of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren: Zachary W. Rogers and his wife, Elizabeth, of Arden, NC; Paden E. Woodruff IV and his wife, Brittany, of Tallahassee; Hunter I Rogers of Los Angeles, CA; Emily J. Woodruff of New York, NY; Johnathan L. Woodruff and his fiancée Ashley, of Tallahassee; Isaiah D. Woodruff and Nathan L. Woodruff of Atlanta; great-grandchildren: Woods Rogers, Annabelle Woodruff and Annie Rogers; sisters: Juawiece E. Devine of Anderson, SC, and Nancy E. Utz of Murrells Inlet, SC; brother, Robert L. Eiland of Drew, MS; brother-in-law, C. Dean Cullison, of Beaufort, SC; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her sister, Antoinette E. Bradley, and her sister-in-law, Mildred W. (Mimi) Cullison. As a military wife, Mrs. Woodruff traveled extensively as her husband’s career took them to North Carolina, Virginia, Texas and Taiwan. She volunteered with the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society; shepherded young officers’ wives; played the piano and organ for church activities including Baptist services in Kaohsiung, Taiwan; met Chiang Kai-Shek and Madame Chiang; and served as a Cub Scout den mother and a Brownie and Girl Scout leader. She was the lodestar around whom her children circulated during their father’s many deployments – nurturer, disciplinarian, activities director, CFO, fashion consultant. After Col. Woodruff retired from the Marine Corps in 1972, they returned to Pickens and First Baptist. Mrs. Woodruff sang in the choir and played piano for her Sunday School assembly. For several years she worked at the Pickens school district office but when the grandchildren began to arrive, she left to give them her full attention. She occasionally remarked to her children and then her grandchildren: “what this family needs is another baby.” After Col. Woodruff began his second retirement, she volunteered at the Cannon Hospital gift shop, assisted at times by a grandchild or two, and they again traveled extensively. Yvonne Woodruff was a woman of style and substance. A pianist, a bridge player, a seamstress, a knitter of many baby blankets, a wonderful cook. She could do headstands and make yeast rolls with equal aplomb. Quick witted, wise, positive, practical, always ready to laugh, she doted on her family and loved her many friends. She was sustained throughout her life by faith in her Creator and by her devotion to Paden and their offspring.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Attn: Development, 875 N. Randolph St., Ste 225, Arlington, VA 22203; Cannon Hospital Auxiliary, 123 W G Acker Dr, Pickens, SC 29671; or to the TEL Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church, 406 E. Main St, Pickens, SC.

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”

Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:28-31