Elizabeth “Betty” Reed Woodard
Elizabeth “Betty” Reed Woodard, Signal Mountain, died on Saturday, October 29, 2022 at the age of 101.
Betty was born on June 18, 1921 in Crossville, Tennessee to Dr. and Mrs. William Anderson (Elizabeth Snow) Reed. She moved to Chattanooga at age three. She attended Chattanooga High School and the University of Chattanooga where she was a member of Phi Mu Sorority. She and Marvin Patrick Woodard were married May 16, 1942. They moved to Signal Mountain, in 1951 where Dr. Woodard opened the first dental practice on the mountain.
As an active member of Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, Betty served as president of the Presbyterian Women, Circle Chairman, and Sunday School teacher. She was an Honorary Life Member of the Presbyterian Women.
Betty was president of the Auxiliary to the Third District Dental Society and was also a president of the Auxiliary to the Tennessee Dental Association. During her husband’s final year in dental school, she was sweetheart of Psi Omega dental fraternity. She had served as a Girl Scout Leader and a Girl Scout Troop Organizer for Signal Mountain. She was a member of the Gideon Auxiliary, and was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. For many years, she served as a Red Cross Volunteer at Alexian Health Care Center. Both she and her husband Marvin managed the challenges of later years with grace and cheerfulness.
Betty was preceded in death by Dr. Woodard, her husband of 63 years, her brothers, William A. Reed, Jr., Col. C. S. Reed, USAF, and her sister, Mabel Reed Stenstrom.
Survivors include three daughters and their husbands: Ann and Rev. James Brownlee, Dalton, GA; Janet and Roy J. Clarkson, Signal Mountain; Elizabeth “Betsy” and Dr. W. Gary Phillips, Chattanooga; and son, Marvin Patrick Woodard and his wife Virginia Lynn Woodard, Woodstock, GA; ten grandchildren: Clay Davies, Roy J. Clarkson, III, David Phillips, Kris Clarkson, Beth Phillips Lewis, Kelly Clarkson Okie, Rebecca Phillips Forster, Corrie Clarkson, Michael Woodard, and Alex Woodard; seventeen great-grandchildren: Cole Davies, Logan Davies, Elizabeth “Ella” Lewis, Jack Lewis, Nathaniel “Nate” Lewis, Aida Okie, Benjamin Okie, Eliza Okie, Liam Okie, Mary Willow Okie, Callan Clarkson, Ronan Clarkson, Lillie Clarkson, Elijah Forster, Evelyn “Evie” Forster, William Augustine Forster, and Amelia Claire Woodard.
There will be a private burial in the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, Marr Chapel, on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 11 a.m., with Rev. Margaret Ferguson officiating. The family will receive friends at the church following the service.
Donations may be made in Betty’s name to Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, 612 James Blvd., Signal Mountain, TN 37377, or to the Scholarship Fund at Alexian Village, 437 Alexian Way, Signal Mountain TN 37377.
Arrangements are entrusted to Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, www.Lanefh.com, 423 877-3524.