Mary Ellen Woods (80) of Newton

Mary Ellen Woods, age 80, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 7:55 PM Saturday, October 16, 2021, at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois.

Funeral services celebrating Mary’s life will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, October 22, 2021 at the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois with Tom Matson officiating. Visitation will be held from 12:00 - 2:00 PM Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery in Palestine, Illinois. In loving memory of Mary, memorials may be made to the family. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left by clicking here.

Mary Ellen was born on June 15, 1941, in Robinson, Illinois, the daughter of Ralph Eugene and Ruth Jane (Goff) Barrick. Mary was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, she loved spending time with her family, visiting and eating. She welcomed anyone who would stop to visit with her and when she could speak of her family you would be listening for a while. She often sat on her porch watching the hummingbirds and admiring her flowers. She was known to grow nearly anything; she enjoyed the challenge of nurturing those that were withering away. Her strength, determination and honest opinions were qualities that she was admired for. She poured that strength into her loved ones and to others, in turn leaving a lasting legacy behind. 

Mary is survived by: Husband Donald L. Woods of Newton, Illinois; 5 Children- Mary Joann (Steve) Jefferson of Troy, Missouri; Lisa Marie (Mark) Shook of Lawrenceville, Illinois; Bertha June “Bert” (Tim) Jones of Newton, Illinois; Ruth Rana Howe of Newton, Illinois and Katrina Michelle (Johnny) Thornton of Marion, Indiana; Brother- Ralph Wayne (Joyce) Barrick of Robinson, Illinois; Brother-in-law- Robert Tidwell of Palestine, Illinois; Multiple grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, 3 children Robert Lee Nading, Cynthia Jean Kirk and Billie Dawn Williams, granddaughter Dorothy Stork and sister Ladonna Jean Tidwell.