Belinda Woody

Belinda Woody, 83, of Valdese, NC passed away Friday, February 19, 2021 at Burke Hospice. Born in Valdese, January 31, 1938, she was the second daughter of the late Colon “Cat” McGalliard and Stella Harris McGalliard. Belinda married the late Shelton Woody on December 18, 1955. She graduated from Francis Garrou High School, Class of 1956, WPCC Class of 1971, and Lenoir Rhyne College Class of 1973. A teacher by profession, she taught sixth grade for 29 years at Mt. View Elementary and Heritage Middle School in Burke County. She had an uncanny respectful love for 12 years olds and loved every moment that she spent in a classroom. She possessed a passion for equality for each of her students, no matter their background. She devoted herself to their success at school and at home. She gave of herself to the under privileged to develop themselves not just as great students, but to being good people with empathy for their peers. Belinda was a member of First Baptist Church of Valdese. She was a founding member of Amherst Baptist Church. She loved VBS and integrated the VBS’s she ran while at Amherst through the late 1960’s. She believed that we are all created equal.

Belinda is survived by a son, Micheal S Woody of Valdese; a daughter, Marchalle Causby and husband Randy of Valdese; a grandson, Casey McBrayer and wife Carolyn of Morganton, two great grandsons, Fletcher McBrayer and Mikey McBrayer; a sister, Delene Wilson and husband Glenn of Kodiak,TN; two step-grandchildren, Lauren Kerley and husband Jeremy of Hudson and Justin Causby and wife Brandy of Gastonia; two step-great grandchildren, Conner and Maggie Kerley; two grandgirls, Ariana and Alina Burns of Mooresville; brother in laws, Alvin Clark of Valdese and Earl Holder of Drexel, Lynn Woody and wife Peggy of McLeansville; Wayne Eppley of Gastonia, sister in law, Geraldine Rector of Morganton, and 16 nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Belinda was preceded in death by her in laws Rassie and Ocie Woody, 4 younger sisters, Iris Ruth Fisher, Miriam Louise Moseley Holder, Mary Lee Clark, and Susan Ella Rogers; a nephew Roy Justion Moseley Jr; a niece Elaine Rector Barrier, a sister-in-law Jean Woody Eppley; brother in laws, Roy Justion Moseley Sr. and William Rector; along with a son in law, Michael McBrayer.

Graveside services will be held at 3pm, Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at Burke Memorial Park, Morganton, NC with Rev. Josh Lail officiating. A Viewing will be held at Sossoman Funeral Home, Tuesday, February 23, 2021 from 12-2pm.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc, 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC or to First Baptist Church of Valdese, 500 Faet St NW Valdese, NC, 28690.

Special appreciation and gratitude to Moma’s team from Kindred Home Health and her Hospice Team.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.