Beverly Jean (Matson) Woodburn

Beverly “Bev” Jean (Matson) Woodburn, 91, of Lexington, NC passed quietly in her sleep on Friday, Jan 7, 2022. Bev – or “Jean” as she was known to her maternal family - was born in Owego, NY on November 18, 1930 to William R. Matson and Ruth Barrow Matson.  She was pre-deceased by her husband, Floyd B. “Woody” Woodburn, her son Ronald E. “Ronnie” Woodburn, and her brother, William “Alan” Matson.

Bev married Woody – a handsome young navy man – in 1946 after his return from the war.  They moved into their first home, a small house on Hazel Drive in Vestal,  NY, where they soon became the proud parents of first a boy, Ronnie, and then a girl, Jenny. Bev enjoyed the life of a 1950’s housewife in a safe, insular neighborhood where children could roam free and mothers drank coffee in each other’s kitchens.  She was a wonderful cook – famous for her spicy spaghetti sauce – and found many outlets for her naturally creative nature.  She painted, knitted, and had fun taking pottery classes.  She loved cars (especially her 1965 Mustang) and bowling.  One of her many claims to fame was bowling a 289 – one strike short of a perfect game!

In 1965, IBM transferred Woody and the family to Raleigh, NC.  It was here Bev discovered her knack for sales at Ivey’s Department Store where she worked for 20 years.  Yes, she had moved to the south, but as she loved to proclaim, she would always be a northerner in her heart. One of Bev’s most prized possessions was the three foot tall framed honorable discharge presented to her grandfather, Newell Matson, who fought for the North in the Civil War.

After retirement Bev and Woody enjoyed spending time at their campground at Kerr Lake in Henderson, NC and their cottage on Crescent Lake in Meshoppen, PA.  Until travel became difficult, they visited family and friends every summer.  Bev was most happy at these times visiting her grandchildren and watching them grow.

Bev is survived by her sister, Alice Matson Jennings of Owego, NY, her daughter and son-in-law Jennifer Woodburn Williams and Stephen L. Williams of Lexington, NC; her daughter-in-law Susan Schorr Woodburn of New Paltz, NY; her grandchildren Keri Crowson Warner of Angier, NC; Keith Matson Woodburn of New Paltz, NY; Kasey Woodburn Kenny of Kinderhook, NY; and Scott Chester Woodburn of Los Angeles, CA; as well as seven lovely great-grandchildren, and nephew Richard Legge of Candor, NY and Darlinda Legge Hollenbeck of Owego, NY.

After cremation, Bev will join Woody on a country hillside at her ancestral home in Owego, NY.  A warm and loving celebration of life with her immediate family will follow.  Stories and toasts will honor a life well lived.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Beverly Jean (Matson) Woodburn, please visit our floral store.