Name: Lew Woodham
Birthday: Feb. 4, 1935
Town: Chapel Hill
Lewis Ruland Woodham (89), beloved husband, father, community member, and recycling coach passed away Tuesday, July 16th, 2024. Son of Madeleine Lewis and Ruland M Woodham, Lew was born on Feb. 4, 1935 in Buffalo, NY. He grew up principally in Hawthorne, New Jersey where he was active in scouting and was a Methodist Church youth leader. He graduated from Haverford College in 1956. Following draftee service as an Army Specialist in Social Services at Fort Lee, VA and Dallas, TX, he completed a masters degree in Social Work (MSSS) from the University of Buffalo, NY in 1961. He entered upon a Social Work career with the New York State Dept. of Social Services and Division for Youth, working in both institutional and community based services for 32 years. Married to Ann Hudson of Buffalo in 1959, they settled in the Hudson Valley of NY and raised three children: Lilla Woodham, married to Paul Schultheis, living in Roslindale, MA; Daniel Woodham, married to Andrea Lynn with one grandchild, Miles John Daniel Woodham, living in Kingston, NY; and Stuart Woodham, married to Rebecca Fullerton, living in Bethlehem, NH.
Retiring from Niskayuna, NY to Chapel Hill, NC in June 1999, Lew & Ann have lived in the continuing care retirement community of Carol Woods for 25 years. Both were involved for those years in community life, services, and especially garbage, encouraging recycling, composting and mindfulness of our environment.
Lew’s life was defined by the work he did to help others and the smiles and laughter he brought them. In addition to his career, he was a devoted and tireless volunteer for his neighbors, local churches, and community organizations.
Upon death Lew’s body was donated to serve research at the UNC Medical School at Chapel Hill. Memorial gifts may be made to Heifer International of Little Rock, AZ.
Celebration of Life for Lew Woodham
A Celebration of Life will be held for Lew Woodham on Wednesday, August 7, from 1:00pm-2:00pm in the Assembly Hall. A reception will follow in the Social Lounge from 2:00pm-4:00pm.