Farewell To A Great Lady

Giles County Historical Society Loses Charter Member



When the Historical Society board of directors met on February 2nd there was an empty seat at the table. Estelle Woodbury, charter member and ardent supporter, passed away on January 25, 2012. She was a unique lady who did not just recognize a need or a problem, she had the focus to envision the solution and the strength of personality to persuade others to join her and turn the vision into reality. She shared this talent with the Pearisburg Women’s Club, the Garden Club, Redeemer Lutheran Church and the Historical Society. She was a working member of each one and whatever the current project, Estelle was right there – arranging for fried apple pies for a fundraiser, arriving at the Andrew Johnston House with a car full of her lovely flower arrangements to decorate for an event – always encouraging, always looking for ways to make things better.

Estelle loved Giles County history and enjoyed sharing her memories of local places and people. She would talk about her childhood in Eggleston and her admiration and pride in her mother who, as a young widow during the Great Depression, raised and educated four children. You
have to wonder if Estelle realized that same strength and dedication to others in herself, because it was surely there.

All of us at the Historical Society offer our heartfelt condolences to Estelle’s family and to her beloved Harold. She was a great friend and we miss her.