Don Grey Woodson

Don Grey Woodson of Charlottesville went home to be with his beloved wife Peggy on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018. He was born in Rockbridge County on New Years Day, Jan. 1, 1934, the son of the late Isaac Hill and Florence Edna Woodson. Don was born and raised on a farm in Natural Bridge, where he started at a very young age in many farming activities. Among those were being a member of the 4-H Club and 4-H All-Star and winner of many tractor driving contests. Don graduated Natural Bridge High School in 1952 and would soon meet his bride to be at a square dance. He would marry the love of his life, Peggy Shorter, on July 2, 1955, after showing great love and devotion throughout Peggy's struggle to fight polio only a year after they met. Don and Peggy raised two children, Darryl and Doanne, at their home on Sunnywood Farms in Natural Bridge. Don served on the ASCS county committee for 35 years, Rockbridge County School Board from 1980 to 1984 and as chairman of board of trustees for Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church. He was the winner of the Outstanding Young Farmer award in 1964 and one of his bulls was named the High Performing Angus Bull in 1977 and 1978 by B.C.I.A. at Red House. Don would later battle cancer not once, but three dreadful times — each surviving by the grace of God and the love and support of his wife, family, and friends. Don was always quick with a joke; known for his honesty, integrity, and fairness in every business deal; big hearted when it came to helping his family and friends; loved inventing gadgets that would help improve his wife's independence around the house; loved taking Peggy out for dinner every chance he could; loved reading Farming journals and watching cattle auctions and Larry's Country Diner on RFDTV; was a sucker for a "good bargain"; and in recent years, Don loved being complimented for his colorful Fedora hats. Don is preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Peggy Shorter Woodson; brothers Isaac Woodson Jr. and Frances Philip Woodson; sisters Ann Johnson, Edna Mae Woodson, and Mary Jane Franklin; and beloved grandson Nathaniel Hartless. Those left to cherish his memory are his two children, Darryl Woodson and his wife Mary of Fairfield, and Doanne Dodd and her husband Douglas of Charlottesville; grandsons Ben Hartless and his wife Nicole, and Dane Dodd; sister Peggy Lineweaver of Ohio; and a host of nieces, nephews, other loving relatives and friends. Family night will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Botetourt Funeral Home, 14920 Le Hwy, Buchanan with a private family graveside service to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to All Blessings Flow at 2335 Seminole Lane, Charlottesville, VA 22901 or online at www.allblessingsflow.org.