Effie Williamson Woodruff, 88

Effie Williamson Woodruff, 88, passed away on December 9, 2018, in Post Falls, Idaho.

She was born in Princeton, North Carolina, 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.

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 U.S. government for more than 40 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 her sons, Garry Warren Woodruff of Candia, New Hampshire, and James Frank Woodruff and wife Donna, of Grapeland, Texas; and her daughter, Eva Karen Van Pelt and husband Edwin E. “Van” of Cocolalla, Idaho. She is also survived by her grandchildren, James Lester Van Pelt of Post Falls, Idaho, Tanner William Van Pelt and wife Kirsten of Sandpoint, Idaho, and 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, North Carolina, 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, 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.