Marie Annaratone Woodard

Marie Annaratone Woodard, 92, born May 21, 1930 and lived 90 years in Memphis, Tennessee, died Tuesday May 16th in Chattanooga, Tennessee surrounded by her family. Marie was a longtime parishioner of St. Michael's and grew up in St. Anne Catholic Church where she also attended grammar school and graduated from Sacred Heart High School. She worked as a bookkeeper at J B Cook and later Motor Parts South both automotive parts service or supply businesses.

Marie "Memaw" is preceded in death by her parents, Louie Jake and Mary Annaratone; her brothers, Louis James Annaratone, Jr. and Edward Annaratone; her sisters-in-law, Helen Annaratone and Rita Annaratone; nephew Louis Annaratone III; her sister Rose Ann, and her beloved husband Neal Woodard. She is survived by her brother, Thomas Annaratone of Charlestown, Massachusetts, her son David Woodard and daughter-in-law Elizabeth Wofford Woodard of Ooltewah, Tennessee. She is also survived by grandchildren Angela Dunn (Matt) of Tigard, Oregon; Patrick Woodard (Lisa) of Ooltewah, Tennessee; and Alex Woodard (Mandy) of Gurley, Alabama; and great-granddaughter Emory Anne Woodard of Ooltewah, Tennessee along with cousins and extended family in Memphis that have provided constant love, prayers, and friendship.

Marie thrived on conversation and kept up faithfully with friends and loved ones, and you always could depend on Marie in a crisis. Often, she solved problems you didn’t realize you had! She was a skilled caregiver and advocate to family and friends in their time of need. Her selfless care of her sister through decades of mental and physical health difficulties is a model of service to others.

Memaw had an incredible memory, was larger than life, and was a charismatic force to be reckoned with – all characteristics she instilled in her cherished grandchildren who will always remember her as their fun-loving, spitfire, full-of-pizzazz Memaw and will hold those memories close. Her relentless inquisitive nature could not be satisfied until there was nothing left to ponder. She used her "Johnny Carson" gift of gab skills to comfortably speak with anyone from any background; she enjoyed debate, and injected and appreciated humor into any situation, leaving a lasting impression that was rarely forgotten.

Friends and family are invited for visitation, Thursday, May 25 at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with rosary prayers beginning at 7:00 PM.

On Friday, May 26 at 10:15am visitation will be held at St. Anne Catholic Church on Highland Avenue in Memphis followed by a funeral mass celebration at 11:00am. Burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery in Memphis.

Online expressions of condolences may be provided through www.MemphisFuneralPoplar.com donations suggested to your local food bank or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.