Vera M. (Decker) Woodcock

Vera Woodcock, 94 years of age, passed from this life into the presence of her Savior at 266 Merrimon Ave. Ashville, NC 28801.  She was born Dec. 28, 1919 in the farm home of Chester and Mary (Mellott) Decker near Harrisonville, Pa. In 1942 she earned her B.S. in Education from Shippensburg State College and began teaching at Needmore, PA.,  elementary  school.  August 29, 1944 she married Rev. Everett Woodcock, in her home church, Sideling Hill Christian Church. After their honeymoon they began missionary training at Hartford Seminary, Hartford, CT.  In Dec. 1945 they left for their assignment in the Belgian Congo (now Dem. Rep. of Congo), Africa, where they served as Methodist missionaries until their retirement in 1986. Always a farm girl at heart, she adapted well to the challenges of living in Africa.  While she taught literacy and Home Economics classes to the local women, her primary ministry was that of modeling a Christian home as they raised their five children.  A love for the people of Africa was deeply etched in her heart enabling her to continue ministering to internationals here in America. The couple retired to Waynesville, NC where she enjoyed building wonderful relationships with their grandchildren, and being an active part of the community.  In 2006 they relocated to Brooks-Howell Retirement Community, Asheville, NC. She was preceded in death by her parents, five sisters, three brothers and son Arnold.  She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Everett Woodcock and children Ray and (Sue) Woodcock, Waynesville, NC; Mary Woodcock, Pink Hill, NC; Elaine and (Gary) Smythe, Springfield, MO; Nancy and (Joe) Riley, Attica, IN; seven grand children and six great grandchildren. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday November 10 at Sideling Hill Christian Church with the Reverend William Swope officiating. There will be a visitation held on Sunday, November 9, 2014 from 6 PM to 8 PM at the Howard L. Sipes Funeral Home Inc. 873 Lincoln Way East  McConnellsburg, PA  17233.  There will also be visitation one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to: Sideling Hill Christian Church, 10424 Sipes Mill Rd, Needmore, PA 17238 or Jamaa Letu Boy's Orphanage UMC, Lubumbashi, DR Congo;  Make check payable to Groce United Methodist , 954 Tunnel Rd, Asheville, NC 28805  Memo line: Advance #3021034. Online condolences may be expressed at howardlsipes.com.