Woodson, Irene Burleson

Irene Burleson Woodson, 88, formerly of Rich Creek, Va., died on Tuesday, February 3, 2009, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. Irene was born on June 13, 1920, in Kyle, W.Va., to Jessica Winters Burleson and Matthew Burleson.

The family moved to Cranberry, N.C., and Irene graduated from high school there. On January 6, 1942, she married the love of her life, the late Harry Edwin Woodson, of Cashmere, W.Va. The two were fortunate enough to spend 56 years of marriage together.

Irene loved cooking, gardening, painting, and was a gracious hostess, but what brought her the most joy was caring for her family. Running a household was never a task for Irene. Buzzing around the house, attending to her various homemaking duties was a joy, not a chore for her.

Irene was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Rich Creek for over 60 years. She was active and enthusiastic, until her illness overwhelmed her. She taught Sunday School, and she was a member of the choir. She worked for Celanese in Pearisburg during her young adult years, but became a stay-at-home mom with the birth of their first child. She was a loving, generous mother who was totally dedicated to her family, her home, and her church. She was a founding member of the Rich Creek Bridge Club.

She loved to travel, and she and Harry were able to take exciting trips and cruises after the children were grown. But no matter where they went, they could hardly wait to get back to their beloved Rich Creek.

She is survived by her three children, William Edwin Woodson and wife, Pat, of Bel Air, Md., Elizabeth Gail Woodson, of New York, N.Y., and Debra Lynn Woodson, of Charlottesville, Va. She is also survived by two grandchildren, Abby Autumn Woodson, of Chicago, Ill., and Amy Woodson Wolfe, of Bettendorf, Iowa; and two great-grandchildren, Matthew Todd Wolfe and Megan Elizabeth Wolfe, also of Bettendorf, Iowa. A third grandchild, Todd Richard Woodson, died in 1973.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2009, First Baptist Church in Rich Creek with the Rev. Jim Pickett officiating. Burial will follow in Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg. The family will receive friends at First Baptist Church in Rich Creek on Saturday from noon to just prior to the service. Memorial gifts may be made to the First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 307, Rich Creek, Va. 24147. Riffe’s Funeral Service in Narrows is serving the Woodson family. Online condolences to the family can be sent to www.riffes.com.