Joanna Ruth Woodruff's Obituary
Joanna Ruth Woodruff died peacefully in her sleep on May 25 at age 94. She was born on November 20,1930, in Collin County to Joe W. and Alma Ruth Carroll Story, moved to Dallas and graduated from Forest Avenue High School in 1948. She married Jessie Ray Collier and had three children: Michael, Joni and David. Her second husband was Walter M. “Woody” Woodruff, with whom she enjoyed 53 years of marriage, and who predeceased her.
She is survived by her three children: Michael Collier and wife Suzanne, children Taylor Collier and wife Saynee and their daughter Portia; daughter Story Mayo, husband Nathanael and their daughter Marin; Joni Owen and husband J. D., children Connor Owen, wife Samantha and daughters Charlie, Andy and Georgie ; Caitlin Peters and husband Chad, daughters Miller and Lucy and son Stokes; and Austin Owen and wife Helen and daughter Evelyn; David Collier and his husband Greg O’Neal and their children Thomas and Summer. She also is survived by two step-sons and their families: Dal Woodruff and wife Dana, children Clay and wife Ashley and their children Atticus and Hattie, Stesha and husband Daniel Gearner and daughters Goldie, Frankie and Lainey, Dean Woodruff and his wife Tonja and children Woody Michael and wife Shannon and sons Lee and Wyatt, Megan Woodruff and husband Mitchell Simpkins, and Zachary and wife Katie and son Crosby.
Joanna had a green thumb and grew beautiful roses. She was a member of the Meadow Gate Garden Club. She also enjoyed a good read, especially a John Grisham or a James Patterson.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 31, at White Rock United Methodist Church, 1450 Old Gate Lane in Dallas. Wear bright colors in honor of Joanna’s love of beautiful flowers. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandsons, Taylor, Connor, Austin, Thomas, Clay, Woody Michael and Zachary.
Memorials may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in lieu of flowers.
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