Dena Ruth Matheson Woodard, a resident of Winnsboro, TX, formerly of Irving, TX, passed away on Thursday, February 10, 2011.

Dena was born on July 10, 1924 in Quitman and graduated from Quitman High School in 1942.  She married Virgil Woodard on July 24, 1946, and they were united until his death on May 15, 1985.  Dena lived in Irving until 1984 when Virgil retired and they packed a pickup truck and headed for East Texas where they had been weekend farmers since 1963.

She was a member of Oakview Baptist Church in Irving, but was an active participant at the local Cartwright Baptist Church until she moved to Trinity Mission Health & Rehab, Winnsboro, TX in July of 2005.  She loved to fish, garden, work crossword puzzles and ... most of all ... play dominoes.  She was a member of XYZ, Eastern Star and Jet Set.  Her most used expression was "C'est la vie" ("That's life!).

In addition to her husband Dena was preceded in death by her parents: Monroe P. Matheson and Euela Ellison Matheson Roberts; brothers: Howard Matheson, Ron Matheson and Don Matheson; sisters: Wilma Low Bagby and Mamie Lou Conder.

Survivors include sons: Virgil Dean Woodard and David Monroe Woodard; daughters: Rita Erwin and husband Larry, Linda Hamner and husband Bill; granddaughters: Kellee and Casey Woodard and their mother Gloria; brother: Jon Dee Matheson; and sisters: Virgie Collins, Evelyn Browning, Corinne Tinney and Theresa Harbuck.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, February 13, 2011 at Beaty Funeral Home Chapel in Winnsboro with burial following at Sharon Cemetery.  Bro. Fred Morrow officiated and music was provided by Jon & Permelia Matheson.

Pallbearers were Newman Browning, Lonnie Browning, Jerry Woodard, Mickey Tinney, Sammy Friday and Herman Harbuck.