Edward Eugene Woodby

Edward Eugene Woodby passed peacefully in the early, quiet hours of May 30, 2026, after a year-long battle with pancrestic cancer. He was born on April 2, 1960, to James Woodby and Elzie Mae Waldroup in St. Agustine, Florida. However, all who knew Ed's thick, sonorous southern accent and love for peanut butter & mayonnaise sandwitches, knew that North Carolina was his true home.

At the age of two, Ed's parents relocated to Asheville to be near family. Preceding him in death were his parents, his brother Charles, and his sister Gladys. Ed is survived by his brother, Clarence Ray; his cousin, Ted Price; his daughters, Tiffany Woodby, and Bethany Moore; and his grandson, Luke Moore. He also leaves behind his wife of seventeen years, Jana; his three stepdaughters, Victoria (Nick) Webb, Tawnee (Michael) Hebdon, and Terin (Jace) Christensen; and ten step-grandchildren.

Know affectionately as "Papa," Ed loved and supported all his step-grandchildren in their many interests and activities. At his tallest, Ed stood six foot eight inches, so on the rare occasion that he was missing from the crowd, it was never without notice and Nana would be immediately greeted with, "Hi Nana! Where's Papa?"

Many knew of Ed's lifelong love of hunting and fishing, but he was also an expert in muzzle-loading rifles and went on to win several competitions. He loved working with his hands, and many of his interests revolved around building and craftsmanship. His large hands built machinery, tied fishing flies, carved intricate woodworking details, and even strung musical instruments. He possessed a deep desire to learn - a passion that carried into every relationship he formed. Ed never met a stranger. In fact, one of the central beliefs by which he lived was that we are all connected through our Savior and should speak of that connection fearlessly and often.

Ed worked as the Grant County bailiff for many years. During that time, he learned of opportunities to assist foster children in need of placement and devoted himself to that work as well. Known to many as a big, lovable teddy bear, Ed always sought opportunities to make new friends and lift others up. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder-day Saints, serving in the Moses Lake Temple brought him great joy. Ed often said he had never experienced such peace and love as he felt while spending time in the temple.

Ed wanted to remain here amoung his friends and loved ones, and he fought valiantly, never complaining. In the end, however, he understood that it was not God's plan and accepted that it was his time to come home. While all who knew him will miss him deeply, Jana especially mourns the loss of her companion in this life. She will miss his daily calls to make sure she arrived safely at work, and she will miss coming home to share the small moments of her day - the moments that made them witnesses to one another's lives.

While our hearts grieve his passing, we rejoice in the knowledge that families are eternal and that through Jesus Christ, death is not the end. We look forward to the day when we will look up and see all six foot eight inches of Big Ed again, whole, at peace, and eager to chat with us about all that we've missed.

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