Betty Woodard Files

Betty Woodard Files was born on July 25, 1938, in Eldridge Alabama on a farm, and attended Hubbertville High School where she was Homecoming Queen, a cheerleader, and named Miss Hubbertville. Upon completion of high school Betty maintained a perfect attendance record.

After graduating she married J.C. Files. They immediately moved to Texas because J.C. had joined the Army and served as a motorcycle MP. Once his term was finished, they moved back to Birmingham and began their family eventually settling in Gardendale and joining Gardendale First Baptist Church.

The joy of her life was her family, and her friends. Her career path has taken her many places from working Kindergarten at First Baptist, then on to First National Bank. She finally settled into her longest position as the secretary for John's Ridout's in Gardendale AL before retiring from that position after 25 years.

Betty loved to read and always had a stack of books close at hand. She would also sew and make clothing for herself as well as her daughter all the way up to high school. She was a good cook, a kindhearted listener, a faithful Christian...a prayer warrior that served her family well throughout the years...with words of advice, a listening ear, with encouragement, and support that you could always count on. She was our greatest cheerleader and was always ready to laugh. Betty passed on Monday October 27, 2025, at the age of 87. We miss her deeply, but we know where she is today. We strive to love like her and have the confidence, and assurance of our salvation like our mother/nana/friend and look forward to seeing her again.

She is survived by her children; Randy (Pam) Files, Jeana (Wade) Layne, Chris (Ashley) Files. Grandchildren; Rachael (Kyle) Windsor, Ryan (Christen) Files, Sophia (Mark) Pearman, Bailey Files, Madison Files, and Lauren Files. Great-Grandchildren; Eli Files, Graham Files, Jacquelyn Pearman, and Grant Pearman. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 68 years Jessie Clyde (J.C.); parents, Bryan and Louise Woodard and sister, Mary Wells.

A visitation will be held at Ridout's Gardendale Chapel, located at 2029 Decatur Hwy, Gardendale, Alabama, 35071, on Tuesday November 4, 2025, starting at 1:00 pm followed by a Celebration of Life Service beginning at 2:00 pm.

The burial will take place at Oakwood Memorial Gardens, 2100 Moncrief Road, Gardendale, Alabama, 35071.