Betty Lou Woodring's Obituary
Betty Lou Woodring, 95, of Mt. Zion, transcended from her earthly home to that of her heavenly home on January 7, 2025.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday (01-13-2025) at the Star of Hope Mausoleum with visitation from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.
Memorials may be made to: Elwin United Methodist Church and the Decatur Area Retired Teachers Foundation in Springfield, IL.
Betty was born on May 29, 1929, in Moweaqua, IL, to Frank N. Woodring and Verna Mildred (Moore) Woodring.
Betty attended grade school in Moweaqua, IL, but attended high school in Tower Hill, IL, where she graduated in 1948. She then attended Southeast Missouri State College in Cape Girardeau, MO, where she attained her B.S. in ED. degree in three years. She later went on to receive her master's degree in 1959 from George Peabody College in Nashville, TN. She later received a special N.D.E.A. Grant to do special study in Library Science from the University of Michigan in Kalamazoo during the summer of 1966. She also obtained a P.H.D. at the University of Illinois.
Betty taught school in the Decatur Public Schools for thirty-five years. Retiring in 1989, she did a great deal to enhance the library program for the high schools in Decatur.
She also did several workshops throughout the state promoting good libraries for high schools.
Betty was an activist in many organizations: life member of the National Education Association; life member of the Illinois Education Association; the Decatur area Retired Teachers’ Association; the National Parent Teachers’ Association; Phi Delta Kappa; the American Association of University Women.
Betty attended the Elwin United Methodist Church for many years. She was baptized in the Moweaqua Christian Church when she was 12 years of age.
Betty was an avid collector of black amethyst glass as well as paper weights. She gave several programs to groups on both subjects. She not only researched her collection, but she also sold antiques in several antique malls, the latest of which was the Wabash Depot Antique Center in Decatur. She loved to see beautiful stained-glass objects as well as stained-glass windows.
Betty enjoyed camping and traveling around in her motor home with her friend Irma Conrad and her Westie dog.
She is survived by: Stephen W. Naylor of Decatur, IL; Debbie Naylor of Decatur, IL; Brian Naylor of St. Charles, IL; and Charanne L. Naylor of Seattle, WA.
Betty was preceded in death by her friend Irma Conrad, her sister Shirley Naylor and her parents Frank and Verna Woodring.
Betty will be missed by all who knew her unselfish devotion to her family and friends.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family in care of Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Homes www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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