Thomas Schram Woodroof - spry2
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Thomas Schram Woodroof passed away on July 6, 2022 at
his home in the loving care of his three sons.
Tommy or Paw Paw, as his devoted grandchildren named him, was born May
26, 1934 in Athens, Alabama. He lived
all but nine of his 88 years in the hometown he so dearly loved.
Tommy was a 1952 graduate of Athens High School, where
he was president of the National Honor Society and co-captain of the Golden
Eagle football team. He married his
preschool classmate and high school sweetheart Mary Ann Thomas on June 7, 1956,
just four days after they both graduated from Vanderbilt University.
He was a two-year football lettermen at Vanderbilt as
a lineman and kicker. It was reported
during his sophomore season (1953) that Tommy was one of the biggest players in
the Southeastern Conference, weighing in at 240 pounds. His senior season culminated in a 25-13 upset
of No. 8 Auburn in the Gator Bowl, during which he was credited with recovering
three fumbles.
Tommy served two years in the U.S. Navy at the Boston
Navy Yard. He began law school at Boston
College before transferring to Vanderbilt Law School. Following graduation, he returned home to
Athens in 1961 and joined the family firm of Woodroof & Woodroof Attorneys
at Law with this father, Thomas Sanders Woodroof, and his first cousin, James
Wright Woodroof. In addition to being
elected county solicitor (predecessor to District Attorney) for several terms, Tommy
served countless clients in Limestone County for more than 50 years prior to
his retirement in 2013.
He was a life-time member of the First United
Methodist Church in Athens and served many years as chairman of the Board of
Trustees. Tommy was a past president,
Paul Harris Fellow, and 61-year member of the Athens Rotary Club; a member of
the Board of Directors of Central Bank for many years; and a 2007 inductee to
the Limestone County Sports Hall of Fame.
Tommy is survived by his three sons: Thomas Schram
Woodroof, Jr., and his wife Susan Hay Woodroof; Roy Sanders Woodroof, and his
wife Lucretia Blair Woodroof; and Charles Chadwick Woodroof, and his wife Genie
Johnston Woodroof; in addition to his seven grandchildren: Thomas Schram
Woodroof, III, and his wife Lacey Mann Woodroof; Mary Adalene Woodroof;
Margaret Blair Woodroof; Sarah Elizabeth Woodroof; Samuel Wade Woodroof; Foster
Chadwick Woodroof; and Johnston Murray Woodroof. He is also survived by his sister, Shelby
Woodroof Wright, and her husband Will, as well as several nieces, nephews,
cousins, and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Mary
Ann Thomas Woodroof, and his parents Thomas Sanders Woodroof, LuEllen Schram
Woodroof (birth), and Margaret Chadwick Woodroof.
The family will receive friends at visitation on
Sunday, July 10 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. in the Beasley Center of First United
Methodist Church. A service of worship
in celebration of the life of Tommy Woodroof will follow at 3:30 p.m. in the
sanctuary of the church. Spry Funeral
Home is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests you honor
Tommy with a donation to the Mary Ann Woodroof Music Trust or the Manna Meals
Ministry at First United Methodist Church; Hospice of Limestone County; or your
favorite charity.
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1 comment
Frankie
2022-09-26 03:14:36
Thank you
