Robert M Woodall's Obituary
Robert Maurice Woodall
Funeral services for Robert Maurice Woodall, 83, will be Tuesday, April 8, 2008, at 12 noon at Trinity Episcopal Church with the Rev. Kevin Wittmayer and the Rev. Michael Macey officiating. Entombment will follow in the Memory Park Mausoleum under the direction of Rader Funeral Home of Longview. Mr. Woodall passed away Saturday, April 5, 2008.
Bob was born in Bowie, Texas, on November 19, 1924, to B.D. and Hattie America Noel Woodall. He was educated in public schools there and upon graduation attended North Texas Teachers' College in Denton. Shortly thereafter he joined the armed forces during World War II. He was awarded a Purple Heart for his service and returned to his home state at the age of 19. He then continued his education at North Texas Teachers' College where he earned his undergraduate and Master of Education degrees. There he met Betty Lee Moore whom he married on September 1, 1947. His first teaching and coaching position was in Beaumont, Texas, and then in 1950 he moved his young family to Longview, Texas, at the bidding of his former coach and mentor, Swede Dees. Here he and Betty raised three children while he worked in Longview ISD at Foster Jr. High and Forest Part Jr. High as teacher, coach, and assistant principal for 35 years before his retirement.
After retiring he often saw his former students and took pride in knowing that he had impacted their lives. He always had stories to tell and never hesitated to share them. Higher education was very important to Bob and he was extremely proud that all of his children and grandchildren earned college degrees.
His retirement years were spent traveling with his wife, including yearly trips to Colorado where they spent their summers fishing and enjoying life. Bob was an avid gardener and fisherman who shared his crops and catch with his many friends. He enjoyed spending time with his large family and many friends who respected and loved him dearly.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Betty Lee Woodall; his son, Robert M. Woodall, Jr., and wife Jetta Moore of Eustis, Florida; his daughters, Brenda Woodall Linton and husband Monnie of Longview, Texas, and Beverly Woodall Cowan and husband Bryan of Cedar Hill, Texas; grandchildren, Kelli Woodall Garcia and husband Justin and their children Logan and Lukas, all of Longview, Texas, Traci Woodall Martin and husband Christopher and their children Jana and Caleb, all of Sorrento, Florida, Angela Woodall Mattmiller and husband Aaron of Tallahassee, Florida, Monnie Blake Linton and wife Jennifer of Hallsville, Texas, Robert Burge Linton and wife Kristal of Hallsville, Texas, Clayton Bryan Cowan of Dallas, Texas, and Kathryn Lee Cowan of Lubbock, Texas.
Memorial contributions in honor of Bob Woodall may be sent to Margaret's House in care of Beacon Hill Hospice Foundation, P O Box 5908, Longview, TX 75608, Alzheimer's Alliance of Northeast Texas, Inc., 211 Winchester, Tyler, TX, 75701; or the charity of your choice.
The family will receive friends at Rader Funeral Home, Monday, April 7, 2008, from 5-7 p.m.
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