Dean Woodall

Obituaries

Tuesday, 13 June 2023 12:02

Dean Stanley Woodall, 93, born on Wednesday, September 11, 1929, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. Funeral services were held on Sunday, June 11, 2023 at First United Methodist Church with burial following in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Dean came into this world four minutes before her twin sister, Jean. Accompanied by their mother, they joined their father, who had accepted the position of pharmacist at W.H. Payne Drug Store. A few years later, Dean’s father purchased the business, and she worked many hours behind the soda fountain, skillfully dipping ice cream, making sandwiches and preparing Payne’s famous red slaw. She served meals to customers in their cars, and she rode her bike around town, delivering prescriptions and ice cream to people’s homes. She told wonderful stories of life on the square during those years.

Selected as valedictorian of her class at Jackson County High School, Dean went on to study at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, later marrying Brooks Woodall, who also worked at Payne’s, later graduating from pharmacy school. The couple later purchased the business from Dean’s father, and she worked at Payne’s for a total of 60 years, the most of any employee in the 154-year old business.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Dean was president of the Brownwood Elementary School PTA. During her tenure, she was particularly interested in expanding opportunities for special-needs children. Dean was a great cook, an expert seamstress, an avid reader and serious bridge player, She cherished her close-knit circle of lifelong friends, shopped for the juiciest Sand Mountain tomatoes at the farmer’s market and cheered for the Scottsboro Wildcats at Trammell Stadium.

She is survived by her son, Stanley Woodall; daughter, Diane (Tom) McMahon. She was preceded in death by her husband; son, Brian Woodall; parents, Dr. and Mrs. W.D. Stanley; twin sister, Jean Glass.

If you are inclined, donations may be made in remembrance to the Scottsboro First United Methodist Church General Fund, 1105 South Broad Street, Scottsboro, Ala. 35768 or Nourish One Child, P.O. Box 925, Scottsboro, Ala. 35768.

The family wishes to thank all past and present employees of Highlands Health and Rehab for the wonderful care and friendship they provided to Dean and the entire family.