Our sister and beloved child of God, Wanda Gail Woodby of Byrd Branch, left us on Sunday, January 26th, 2025, for her place at the throne of God.
Wanda was born October 24th, 1949 in Yancey County to George and Edith Bryant Woodby of Byrd Branch. She attended Yancey County Schools, Blanton Business College and East Tennessee State University. She spent more than 40 years in the Yancey County Courthouse as the Estates and Special Proceedings Clerk in the Clerk of Superior Court offices, and worked until close to her death.
She was married to Glenn Davis, and he shared her passion for justice for God’s people. He died suddenly in 2005. He is remembered by his and her efforts to care for the poor in Malawi where the Glenn Davis House exists today.
Justice drew her to her work in Habitat for Humanity where she received the Golden Hammer award for her outstanding service to house those seeking shelter. She helped organize the Yancey Family Violence Coalition and served on its board for many years. She served as president of the Yancey – Mitchell NAACP chapter to aid her black brothers and sisters, and to give them a voice. She spoke about racial inequality in many places. She was the secretary of the Yancey County Democratic Party and was precinct chair for many years. She became the pastor of Buladean Presbyterian Church after graduating from the Western North Carolina Presbyterian School of the Laity which prepares lay people to serve smaller congregations as a pastor. She served Buladean Presbyterian for many years.
She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Glenn, and her brother, Fred Woodby who died in 2024. She is survived by her son, Gabriel Davis Woodby; her sister, Elizabeth Woodby Caudill (Allen); her brother, Ted Woodby (Anne) of Conover; sister-in-law, Donna Woodby; her stepdaughter, Abby Davis (Alex) of Marion; Abby’s daughter, Penny; and a host of nieces and nephews.
A service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, January 31st in the chapel of Yancey Funeral Services. Visitation will be held from 4 until 6 p.m. prior to the service.
To send online condolences, please visit our website at www.yanceyfuneralservice.com.
