Barbara "Babs" Woods
September 10, 1919 ~ July 30, 2016
Barbara Spruce Woods, 96, died July 30, 2016, at the Valley Hospice Care Center North. Steubenville, OH. She was born September 10, 1919, in Charleston, WV, the daughter of the late William A. and Ella Mae Holswade Spruce.
She was married April 30, 1939, to Dr. William A. Woods, former Pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Weirton, who preceded her in death in 1990. She was also preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Bob and Dorothy Mae Schick of Livermore, CA; brother-in-law. Robert C. Woods of Richmond, VA; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mildred and Riley Bennett of St. Louis, MO; and close companion for 9 years O. J. Cameron of Martinsburg, WV.
Surviving are a son, Dr. William A. Woods, Jr. (Selina) of Winchester, MA, two daughters, Pamela Ford of Weirton, WV and Linaka Groller (Kurt) of Trexlertown, PA; five grandsons, Paul Tadlock of Mount Joy, PA; John Tadlock of Sterling, VA; Jeffrey Ford (Leigh Anne) of Richfield, OH; Matthew Woods (Tricia) of South Deerfield, MA and Alexander Woods (Tamara) of Black River Falls, WI. She also had 11 great-grandchildren and another on the way; and two very special nieces, Gretchen Rutherford of Livermore, CA and Susan Kortick of Folsom, CA.
Barbara graduated first in her class from Charleston High School in 1937, attended Hollins University in Roanoke, VA for two years and returned to college 25 years later, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a 4-point average and a BBA degree in Accounting from Marshall University, Huntington, WV.
She attended Marshall at a time when the only other older students were in Teachers College and she, being in the College of Arts and Sciences and majoring in a male-dominated field accounting and economics was not only the only older adult but also the only female student in many of her classes. Barred from the male-only Accounting Club on campus, she joined the American Society of Women Accountants in Huntington. After graduation, she went to work for Kenneth Smart, CPA, one of her former teachers who had just started his own accounting practice.
She was employed in Weirton as an Accountant by William C. Dumbaugh, CPA, for 25 years, retiring when she was 81 years old. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where she had served as a member of the Finance Committee, Chairman of the Audit Committee and Treasurer of the United Methodist Women for a number of years.
While she was in Huntington, she became the first female member of the newly formed Estate Planning Council. She also was the first woman to be elected to the Board of Pensions of the West Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, and served as its Vice President for four years.
In Weirton, she was a member of the Weirton Woman's Club and the Art Department, and was a former member of the Three Score Seniors and AARP.
Visiting hours will be 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Sunday, August 7, 2016, at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main St., Weirton. Additional visitation will be held on Monday, August 8, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church, 3301 West St. from 9:00 am until the time of funeral services at 10:00 am. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Park, South Charleston, WV. The services will be officiated by Rev. Carol McKay and Rev. Gary Shepard. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Apportionment Fund, or Valley Hospice Care Center North, 4000 Johnson Road, Steubenville, OH, 43952. The family wishes to thank the staff of Valley Hospice Care Center North for all the love, support and care they provided to Mother and daughter, Pamela.
Funeral Home:
Greco Hertnick Funeral Home
3219 Main Street
Weirton, WV
US 26062
The death of Mrs. Barbara “Babs” Woods is one of the most devastating experiences a family can face. At times, the loss may seem unbearable. Please know that there are those who care and more importantly Psalm 34:18 tells us that “God is near to those that are broken at heart. He is the God of all comfort. My prayers are with you and your family.