Waneta June Murphy Woodard
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It is with great sadness, we announce, Waneta June Murphy Woodard of Alpharetta, GA, has passed peacefully to her eternal reward while living at home on August 1, 2024. She was a strong believer in Jesus Christ. Her faith was always at the forefront of her life.
Waneta was born June 11, 1938 in Kirkland Township, Belmont County, Ohio at her maternal Grandparents' home. She was the first child of Bainard and Gladys Baker Murphy of Barnesville, OH, where Waneta enjoyed growing up surrounded by many friends and classmates, graduating from Barnesville High School in 1956. She loved her hometown and growing up years in Barnesville. She would tell of summers spent at the municipal pool, working at a soda shop and the Dairy Queen; of her many years as a cheer leader for the school teams and even as the Homecoming Queen. On occasion she would return for the famous annual October "Pumpkin Festival". She remained close to her many hometown friends and continues to support the local school through scholarships for the medical/nursing fields. She worked several years as a switchboard operator for the local telephone company.
She married Donald Ayers in 1958. They had two children, Teresa Jean, born in 1959 and Jeffrey Jay Ayers in 1962. They were her world and of immense pride to Waneta. She spent her life devoted to ensuring they had every advantage and opportunity she could as a mother. The people they have become is in part of a testimony to her efforts and wisdom in preparing them for life. She was so proud of them and her grandchildren. She loved her family and wholeheartedly embraced the role of suburban housewife and mother. PTA, Scouting and roles on the auxiliary board for the hospital kept her attention. She also served several years on the Franklin County AAA Board. Eager to try new ventures and sharpen her communication skills, she attended Ohio State University and Otterbein College.
After Divorce, Waneta met the love of her life, Patrick Woodard in Dublin, Ohio. They had been married for 34 years. They adored each other. Their life was full of family, friends, travel and church. A wonderful example of true love.
Waneta was a cheerful, kind, and gentle spirit who will be sadly missed by friends and family. She had a passion for people and took an interest in everyone she met. Known wide and far as Waneta with a "W", as she would gleefully announce to any first-time acquaintance, then engage them in earnest conversation to learn about this new person. She rarely forgot a face or their names and would astound us by recognizing and remembering people in far off places and long past times. This gift was the true spirit of her loving heart.
A joyful, full-throated laugh was hers alone and one familiar to all who knew Waneta. One could not help but break a smile when hearing her joyful outburst. She loved life and people and was without exception loyal to friends and rarely, if ever, known to disparage anyone.
Waneta had a passion for flowers, Dachshunds, and cars. Her impeccably kept home always had flower arrangements on display, she loved many Dachshunds along the way including Adolph, Cocoa, and Eli. Her taste in cars ran from Mini-Cooper to Porsche 911 with many in between, and she loved to talk about her first, an olive-drab Plymouth coupe in which she and her High School girl friends roamed the streets. All were to be kept immaculately clean and in good running order.
She had a flair for style and being healthy, always looking sharp, shapely, and fashionable. Her shoe inventory was substantial with sandals being her complete preference. Husband Pat often told her, "You could put on a $10 dress and accessorize it to look like a million bucks". She played tennis with friends for 30 years and had a lifetime exercise routine for keeping fit. On the court she was fierce and loved to smash the ball directly at her opponent, and then have a good laugh!
Waneta was a long-time member of Mount Pisgah Church, several Bible studies, Country Club of the South Charity Guild, and Rivermont Golf Club Women's Association.
Waneta is survived by her devoted husband of 34 years, Patrick Woodard, of Alpharetta, GA; daughter, Teresa Jean (Pete) Kight, Cave Creek, AZ; son Jeffrey Jay Ayers, Pinehurst, NC; step-son, Jeffrey Woodard (Wendy), Boise, ID, and step-daughter Bethany Woodard Nettleton, Grand Rapids, MI.; grandchildren, Ali Mackanic (David), Preston Kight (Paige), Wesley Ayers (Emilee), Brittany Mack (Johnnie), Lisa Marie, Rebecca, and Christopher Woodard, Jeffrey and Matthew Nettleton; Brothers-law, William (Harlene), Tim J (Beverly); Nephews Todd and William Pryor; Nieces, Lisa Pryor Fowler, Amy Murphy Romine, Melinda Hibbs Kemp.
Waneta was preceded in death by her parents, Bainard Francis Murphy and Gladys Juanita Baker Murphy, brother John Murphy, sister Donna-Jean Pryor, sister Helen Humphrey Hibbs, sister-in-law Marylin Taylor Murphy, niece Johnna Daire Murphy, brother-in-law James Pryor, brother-in-law James Hibbs, Niece Melinda Sue Kemp, brother-in-law Larry Woodard, Grandparents Cecil Antonia Baker, Lillian Borton Baker, Ross Alexander Murphy and Ethel Humphrey Murphy.
Services will be held at the Mt. Pisgah Church on August 23, 2024, at 11:00AM, followed by a light lunch.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The American Cancer Society.
She will always be in our hearts.