Dorothy Woodruff West

Beloved daughter, sister, mother, friend, mentor and educator, Dorothy "Dot" Woodruff West passed away peacefully in her home on April 30, 2025, at the age of 85. Dot lived a life of purpose, warmth and deep commitment to her family and community. Her passions were her faith, family, friends and education.

Dot was born in Atlanta, Texas, on September 12, 1939, to Audrey Mae Puckett and Floyd Auvil Graves. She graduated from Marshall High School in 1958 and attended business school before working at SWEPCO where she met Donald "Don" Ray Woodruff. They married June 25, 1960. Making their home and raising their family in Marshall, they were happily married for 35 years until his death in 1995.

Dot met and married Jeff West, Sr. November 23, 1998. Making their home in Longview, they were members of Mobberly Baptist Church, Longview Ballroom Dancers and enjoyed traveling and sharing their home with family and friends until his death in 2008.

Dot's civic and professional life was marked by extraordinary involvement and leadership.

Dot discovered one of her life's passions and met one of her mentors, Myrtle Lea Romer, when she began working for the Marshall Council of Camp Fire in 1960. She became a homemaker with the birth of her son and volunteered as a Camp Fire leader for the Otyokwa Horizon Club from 1965 until their graduation in 1969. In 1974, Dot formed the Rainbow Blue Birds Group of first graders at William B. Travis which later became the OgaTa Adventure Club. She provided years of mentorship, education and fun for the girls until their high school graduation in 1986 when she led them to earn their Wohelo medallions, the highest achievement in Camp Fire.

During her time with Camp Fire, Dot served in many roles from Training Chairman for the Marshall Council of Camp Fire to President of the Board of Directors and Leaders Association for Camp Fire. She received the Luther Halsey Gulick Award for her dedication to Camp Fire in 1981.

Dot was also very involved with PTA over these years serving in many capacities, chairing numerous committees and holding offices including president. In 1980, the William B. Travis PTA presented her with an honorary life membership in the Texas Congress of Parents and Teachers recounting the numerous areas of service in her 11 years of PTA leadership at that time. She continued to serve until 1986.

Dot worked part time as a secretary at Wesley United Methodist Church in Marshall until 1980 when she became Administrative Secretary to the Dean of Student Affairs at East Texas Baptist University. ETBU was already a significant part of her life as her mother was the school Accountant from 1965 until 1981 when she retired to work part-time in the school library.

While working full-time, Dot earned a Bachelor of Applied Sciences degree from ETBU in 1986 and was elected to Alpha Chi Honor Society and Who's Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges. Upon her graduation, Dr. Craig, President of ETBU, asked Dot to become Director of the ETBU Student Center, Bookstore and Post Office. She accepted the challenge and began transforming those areas of the campus in 1987.

Dot loved ETBU and her contact with the students as she managed campus activities including Parents Day, Tiger Day, Honors Day, Senior Girl Callout, Commencement and her favorite, the Miss ETBU pageant when she hosted the participants in her home.

In 1995, Dot earned her MBA and began teaching as an adjunct professor of Marketing. A lifelong learner, this was a testament to her belief that education is one of life's most important endeavors. She retired from ETBU in 2004 after 24 years of dedication where she inspired and mentored generations of students.

Dot taught Sunday School and sang in the choirs at Bel-Air and First Baptist Church in Marshall. She was a proud and active member of many organizations in both Marshall and Longview including the Board of Directors of the Marshall Corral Club, University Women's Club, Longview Women's Club and many more. Most important were the over five decades of service, friendship and fun she shared with the Eta Beta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and her bridge club.

A woman of wide-ranging interests, Dot was an avid gardener, a voracious reader, a ballroom dancer, a skilled bridge player and an enthusiastic world traveler. She embraced life with joy, curiosity and compassion. Dot loved life and lived it to its fullest. She never met a stranger.

She was preceded in death by her parents Floyd and Audrey Graves, younger brother Jimmy Graves, sister and brother-in-law Jan and Jim Connell, Don Woodruff and Jeff West. She is survived by son Mike Woodruff and wife Thelma and daughter Laura Woodruff, grandson Josh West, nephew Steve Woodruff and wife Billye, niece Sheri Eudaly and husband Tom, nephews Gil George and wife Lisa, and Chris George and wife Amber, numerous great nieces and nephews and beloved cousins including Linda Jelinek, with whom she enjoyed traveling, plus many dear friends whom she loved like family.

She was Grandma Dot to Jordan, Abby, Annalise, Benjamin, Braden and Juliette, children of Brad and Jenifer Davidson.

Dot cherished and enjoyed the loyal companionship of four beloved dachshunds since 1960. She is survived by the last of these faithful dogs, Sophie, who brought her 17 years of joy.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to her caregivers for their love, compassionate care and kindness.

Dot's legacy of leadership, learning and love will live on in the many lives she touched. She will be deeply missed by all those who were blessed by her life and love.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 9, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at The Cammack Family Sullivan Funeral Home in Marshall. A Life Celebration Funeral Service will follow on Saturday, May 10, at 2:00 p.m. at The Cammack Family Sullivan Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Colonial Gardens Cemetery, Marshall, Texas.

Flowers are welcome or donations to Samaritan's Purse or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be left at www.cammackfamily.com