Valerie Dewoody Obituary

Valerie "Marie" DeWoody passed away on May 6, 2023, just two weeks after her eighteenth birthday. Her loss has left a huge hole in the hearts of many. Marie will be missed by her parents, James Andrew DeWoody and Yssa Dawn DeWoody (nee Dean); her sisters, Taylor Dawn DeWoody and Audrey Hope DeWoody; her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins; and the many, many friends she made and inspired. Marie was born with a rare chromosomal disorder, Ring14. This disorder did not make her life easy, and it brought her time with us to a close all too soon, but it did not define her. More than anything, Marie was a lover of life and of people. Though her life was unlike most, her differences only served to highlight the things we all share. Some joys are universal, and Marie knew them all. A list of her favorite things, in no particular order: swinging, singing Happy Birthday, sunshine, bowling, Nilla Wafers, playing catch, the song All the Little Fishies, shape-sorting, walking around the block, school, roller coasters, buggy rides, making new friends, giving hugs, the turkey (and frog!) from Barnyard Dance, howling at the moon, car washes, blowing bubbles, her furry friends, and the wind. And a list of her very least favorite things: washing her face, going to bed on time, waking up on time, drinking water, the dentist, and, also, the wind. Marie was playful and charming, mischievous and contrary, a daring darling little girl. Above all, she was our sweet Marie. She is at rest now, but her family will always hold her tightly in spirit and we invite each of you to do the same. She enriched our lives and made us better people. A public visitation will be held on Thursday, May 11 from 6pm to 8pm at the Lewallen-Garcia-Pipkin Funeral Home in Midland. The funeral service will take place on Friday, May 12 at 10:30am in the Golf Course Road Church of Christ Family Center (Midland). In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred at ring14usa. org and/or bynumschool. org. Her family would also like to thank her incredible care team of doctors, nurses, therapists and teachers at Bynum School. To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Valerie Marie DeWoody, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.