Sammye Roberta Woodruff

On Monday September 30, 2019, Sammye Roberta Woodruff, 80, took her beloved Billy's hand and entered the garden of immortality. Fiona, her faithful Cairn terrier companion of 7 ½ years, was on her lap watching over her when she embarked on her final journey.

Sammye was born on January 30th, 1939 in Santa Maria, CA to Alma Floyd & Artie Joe (Moss) Leaper. The story told, and collaborated, was that she was born in the back seat of a car on the way to the hospital. That entry was the start of her colorful life… Growing up in Pismo Beach, CA she loved roller skating and spending time on the beach. She married Billy Woodruff on March 2nd, 1962 in Long Beach, CA. The wife of a career Navy man involved a lot of relocating, and with that, she had a wide range of vocations throughout her life. Besides being a homemaker, she took on jobs as a sales clerk, local newspaper distributer, and gas station attendant to help make ends meet and pass the time while Billy was out to sea, and after he retired, she became the manager of Dairy Queen. When all the kids had left home, she was able to accompany Billy as he worked in Indonesia, and also in Africa where she got involved with the World Health Organization providing vaccinations and health education to remote villages. She especially enjoyed their travels, shopping trips to Hong Kong and Singapore, and entertaining guests while living abroad. Sammye loved sharing stories of these travels, especially when passing on their acquired treasured trinkets to friends and family. Upon returning to the states, they made homes in CA, TX, and TN; spending time near family at each location, and for a while they lived in Arkansas just because they found it so beautiful. Sammye went back to school, studying accounting with Massey Business School in Houston, where she acquired and then retired from an accounting clerk position with Fort Bend School District in Sugarland.

She enjoyed reading, writing, and crocheting beautiful blankets for herself, friends, family, and grandchildren until her vision failed her. Sammye and Billy together shared a love of animals, travel, and gardening. Their passion for gardening and growing beautiful roses could be remembered at each home they lived in. After Billy's passing, she continued her love of moving around to new places, leaving their home in Tennessee to make homes near family in CA, ID, and then TX.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, where she served as a genealogy specialist at several LDS Stakes as this was a passion of hers. She had a very sharp mind, and could remember names and birthdates many generations back.

Sammye was preceded in death by her husband Billy Woodruff, her parents, Alma Floyd Leaper and Artie Joe Milliser. She is survived by her 3 children; Robbye Goddard of Tulsa, OK, James Woodruff of Spirit Lake, ID, and Rebecca McWilliams of Frisco, TX, and two sisters; Elizabeth Mulder and Alice Borres. Her spirit will be remembered by her 9 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, and an extended family of relations and friends including Julia & Brenda Woodruff, Michael Shred, and Beth DelaHoussaye.

The family of Sammye wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the Baybrook Village Care and Rehabilitation Center of McKinney, TX and New Century Hospice for providing her with the utmost of comfort care during her final days.

At Sammye's request, a memorial will be conducted in the spring of 2020 at Deception Pass, Whidbey Island, Washington. Her ashes will be scattered with care and love to join with those of Billy.