Mary Belle Wooddy

Mary Belle Wooddy, age 92, passed away peacefully on Friday, the 7th of May 2021. Mary Belle was born on the 1st of January 1929 in Houston, Texas to Rubydick Blackburn Manning and Philip Dietz Manning. Her parents, her beloved husband L. Dale Wooddy Jr., and her two brothers preceded her in death. She is survived by her two children: daughter Mary Wooddy Payne and husband W. Lawrence, and son L. Dale Wooddy III; four grandchildren Bryan Payne (Marisa), William Payne, Jennifer Wooddy, L. Dale Wooddy IV., and a great-grandchild Miller Payne. She is also survived by a host of loved ones, relatives, friends and her beloved Blue Bird Circle.

Mary Belle lived an adventurous life but she always put family and service to others first. She followed her husband around the country through his various jobs with Exxon always making her children and family comfortable in each move. Mary Belle considered her family her greatest achievement. She had a servant’s heart, volunteering as opportunities arose. Her most recent volunteer jobs were with the Blue Bird Circle Shop that supports pediatric neurology and is located in Houston. She also spent her time with the Blue Birds making Easter baskets. She spent one day a week volunteering at the pediatric center at MD Anderson cancer hospital playing with the pediatric cancer patients while their parents visited with the Doctors.

She was a formidable woman until the end and she will be greatly missed.

The family will gather for a private interment at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery in Houston at a later date.

In lieu of customary remembrances, kindly consider a donation in Mary Belle’s memory to either The Blue Bird Circle or M.D. Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital