Obituary of Effie Williamson Woodruff

Effie Williamson Woodruff

Effie Williamson Woodruff, age 88, passed away on December 9, 2018 in Post Falls, Idaho. She was born in Princeton, NC on August 9, 1930 to Carl Arthur and Eva Boykin Williamson and was the youngest of seven children. Before moving to Idaho, Effie was a long time resident of Princeton, NC.

In 1949, Effie joined the newly formed Women’s Air Force and traveled to San Antonio, Texas for basic training. After an honorable discharge in 1951, she married James Warren Woodruff and raised a family, all while continuing to work for the US government for more than forty years. Her career took her to many foreign countries, including expatriate status in Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Germany. In 2007 she retired for the third and final time after an assignment in Baghdad, Iraq and returned to her Princeton home.

Preceded in death by her husband, James Warren Woodruff and daughter, Lula Kathryn Woodruff, she is survived by sons Garry Warren Woodruff of Candia, New Hampshire and James Frank Woodruff and wife Donna, of Grapeland, Texas and daughter Eva Karen Van Pelt and husband Edwin E. “Van” of  Cocolalla, Idaho. Also survived by grandchildren James Lester Van Pelt of Post Falls, Idaho, Tanner William Van Pelt and wife Kirsten of Sandpoint, Idaho, Jamieson Paul Woodruff and Jonathan Robert Woodruff and wife Jessica Puckett, both of Richmond, Virginia, and seven great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is being planned for a later date in Selma, NC, with her remains to be interred at Selma Memorial Gardens Mausoleum Pavilion.

The family would like to thank all of the friends who helped Mom along the way to her peaceful end, especially Maria Montague and her dog Shuga, and Paula Campbell, who provided such great friendship and loving attention. We would like to express sincere appreciation to the staff at Guardian Angel Homes in Post Falls, Idaho for the professional and devoted care provided during Mom’s last years.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charitable organization of the donor’s choice.