Margaret Helms Woodward, of Melbourne, Florida, died December 20, 2019 at the age of 102. She passed peacefully at home with beloved family by her side.

She was born to the late William Spencer Helms and Leon Lestelle Helms on February 4 ^th , 1917, in Nashville, TN.

She married the love of her life, John Woodward, on June 30 ^th , 1939, and they were blessed with 78 years of marriage together. They had two children, Dana Woodward McGarity and John Spencer Woodward. Margaret was preceded in death and is now reunited in heaven with her dearly loved husband and children.

Margaret was an active member of the Melbourne community, a member of St. Paul's Methodist church, and long-time manager of the church thrift shop. She was the quintessential southern lady with a generous spirit and a gift for hospitality and for making things beautiful. She adored her family and had a compassionate heart for less fortunate.

Margaret is survived by her five grand children: Molly Fulton of Palmyra, Virginia, John McGarity of Brooklyn, New York, Anna McGarity of Austin , Texas, Amber Bezebeh of Arkansas, and Todd Woodward of Orlando, Florida. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Kyle, Frances, and Scott, her son-in-law, William D. McGarity and daughter-in-law, Barbara Woodward.

A celebration of Margaret's life will be held on Sunday, February 16 ^th , 2020, at 3pm at St. Paul's Methodist Church (now known as Highland Avenue Fellowship) in Eau Gallie.