Mary Fern House Woodruff was born to parents A.G. and Flora (Clancy) House on Jan. 10, 1930. She passed from this life on March 27, 2020, at the age of 90.
Mary Fern grew up outside of Carter, where her father farmed and her mother was a homemaker. She was the oldest of four children. Mary Fern graduated from Carter High School in 1948. On Aug. 7, 1949, Mary Fern married Melvin Woodruff at her parents’ home. To this union three children were born. Together they farmed and sold cream and eggs for extra income. The family operated an AMPI dairy for more than 29 years where they milked as many as 100 head of cows twice a day until 1986.
Mary Fern was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She and Melvin celebrated 68 years of marriage together. They enjoyed traveling together and especially their trips to Branson where she always made a point to see Shoji Tabuchi. Mary Fern was known for her wonderful cakes and pies that she made for her friends and family. She was a very talented seamstress and she enjoyed playing rook with her good friends in the community. Mary Fern instilled a love of God in her family. She was a life long member of the Church of Christ. Mary Fern will be remembered for her quick wit and candor, but especially her love for her family. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. She was preceded in
She was preceded in death by her husband Melvin Woodruff; oldest son Gary Lynn Woodruff; parents: A.G. and Flora House; and sister Dorothy Jean Bloomer.
Survivors include children Alvin Woodruff and wife Anita of Watonga, Marita McKee and husband Ronnie of Cordell, daughter-in-law Leslie Woodruff of Carnegie; grandchildren Andra Speerbrecher and husband Shannon, Stefannye Prange and husband Tye, April Woodruff, Tiffany Robison and husband Dwight, Todd Woodruff and wife Christine, Justin McKee and wife Michele, Angela Hanes and husband Ryan, Ryan McKee and wife Amber; 11 great-grandchildren; one sister, Frances Sue Stowers; one brother, Richard House; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
A graveside service was held at 2:00 p.m., March 31, 2020, at Sappington Chapel in Cowden. Visitation was from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Monday, March 30, 2020, at Ray and Martha’s Funeral Home in Cordell.