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.