Eugenia Woodruff

Eugenia Faye Tidwell Oxley Woodruff, affectionately known as Granny Jean, peacefully passed away at the age of 93 in Waco, Texas, on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. Born on March 10, 1931, in the humble town of Muddy Fork, Arkansas, Jean was the beloved daughter of William Andrew Tidwell and Deloma Louise White.

Jean found immense joy in expressing her love through cooking. Her kitchen was a place of comfort and camaraderie, where family and friends were nurtured with delicious home grown and prepared meals and treats. Her pies were so legendary that even local trades ensued, as neighbors and even the pharmacist bartered for a taste. Jean relished life’s simple pleasures, such as gardening and engaging in canning and quilting. Her laughter filled spaces with joy, and she found delight in life's little quirks like rhyming and singing silly jingles, and she was always eager for a game of dominoes or cards—and often besting those who dared to challenge her!

Her professional life was as industrious as it was diverse. Jean contributed to the sneaker industry for a year in De Queen, Arkansas, and later to the fabric world in Nashville, Arkansas, crafting velour robes over four years. She dedicated a significant portion of her life to Colson’s, assembling chain saws over a rewarding 17-year stretch before retiring.

Faith was the foundation upon which Jean built her life as she was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ. Her favorite hymn, "In the Garden," mirrored her faith:

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own,

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other, has ever, known!

Jean was preceded in death by her first love, husband Albert Louis Oxley, her second husband Hugh Woodruff, her cherished daughter Deborah Kay Oxley, her eight siblings: Marvin Lucas Tidwell, Ester Louise Tidwell, Jim Fanion Tidwell, Virgie Eldora Tidwell, Bessie Margaret Tidwell, Zelma Oleva Tidwell, and John Milburn Tidwell and a son-in-law, Carroll Tucker.

Her legacy lives on through her children: Retha Mae Oxley Tucker, Linda Jean Oxley, and Richard Duane Oxley.

Her grandchildren Kimberly Diane Tucker Wendland (Wesley Neal Wendland), Tammy Lyn Tucker Sutton (Terry Wayne Sutton), John Vasco Martindale Jr, Starla Bright Martindale Naug (Michael Joseph Naug), Kevin Trevor Martindale, Jonathan Richard Oxley (Dona Louise Oxley), and Brandon Troy Oxley (Emaley Ann Beth Oxley), carry her light forward.

The next generation spans her great-grandchildren, including Chad Holden Tucker Sutton (Courtney Curtis Sutton), Dana Stephanie Sutton Luther (William Douglas Luther), Trevor Wayne Sutton (Taylor Sutton), Blaise Michael Naug, and Brianna Bright Naug, each loved dearly by her.

Her lineage extends to grace and bless her great-great-grandchildren: Grace Elizabeth Oxley, Faith LeAnne Oxley, Gabriel David Oxley, Savannah Nicole Oxley, Tucker James Oxley, Claire Elizabeth Sutton, Cooper Hayes Sutton, Jasmine Rochelle Luther, Tristan Michael Andrew Marlow, Rhiannon Carroll Nichole Marlow, and Stevie Lynn Alice Luther.

Jean's journey was adorned with love, faith, and laughter that will forever fill the hearts of all who knew her.

Graveside services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at County Line Cemetery, under the direction of Latimer Funeral Home of Nashville.

You may send an online sympathy message at www.latimerfuneralhome.com