Anna Mae Woody, 81, of Cleveland, TN, died on Tuesday afternoon, February 24, 2015.
A native of Polk County, Anna Mae was Valedictorian of the Polk County High School Class of 1953. Later that year she entered Cleveland’s National School of Business on Ocoee Street. Upon graduation Anna Mae entered the workforce as legal secretary for the Mayfield Law Firm. Her work in this position covered six decades until her retirement in 2001.
Never married, Anna Mae devoted her life to serving her family, friends, co-workers, and church. She tenderly cared for her mother and aunt until their passing. She shared deep mutual friendships with Elizabeth Fortner, Larry and Renate Basham, John and Robin Ownby, and Virgina Chism. Anna Mae was a faithful member of Maple Street Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, and North Cleveland Baptist Church, serving the body of Christ as a Sunday school teacher, church secretary, church clerk, and working in the church library. She lovingly utilized her skills in cooking, quilting, and baking as expressions of heart-felt ministry. Anna Mae was an avid reader. Her advice on good books for church libraries and her cooking advice will long be remembered by all her friends. When teaching her ladies Sunday School Class she did not believe in skipping a single verse. Anna Mae loved her simple lifestyle of reading, cooking, sewing and caring for her dog “Lady”.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Napoleon Woody and Jennie Runion Woody; twin brothers, Troy and Roy Woody; and two four legged companions, “Millie” and “Brownie”.
Anna Mae is survived by her cousins, Virga Ruth of Oregon and Beth and Roger Passmore of Polk County, TN.
A worship celebration of her life and faith will take place on Saturday, February 28 at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Companion Funeral Home located at 2419 Georgetown Road with Dr. Jay McCluskey and Rev. Tom Wickes officiating. Interment will follow in the Benton Station Cemetery with John Ownby, Charles Hysinger, Gene Heffington, Sam Bettis, Larry Grimes & Buddy Arnold serving as pallbearers.
Visitation will take place at the funeral home from 12-1 p.m. on Saturday, February 28.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to her life may be made to the North Cleveland Baptist Church Library or Mission fund or the charity of your choice in her memory.
Companion Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.