Lucy Woodman

Lucy Rhodes Woodman, 75, of Cheyenne passed away July 8. She was born August 16, 1940 in Tryon, North Carolina. She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, James Woodman. She is survived by children Claudia of Denver, Colo., Jeff (Lisa) of Santa Fe, NM, Andrew (Misty) of Cheyenne; and grandchildren Andrew James and Sebastian “Bobby “Woodman as well as Mercedes and Clayton Krospic.
Lucy grew up on a farm and was active in 4-H. She retained her love for the outdoors and gardening. Decorating, writing, reading, art, family, and friends were her favorite pastimes besides music.
Lucy earned her Associate's at Mars Hill and B.A. in music at the University of North Carolina and was a member of the Mu Phi Epsilon music sorority. She completed her M.A. in music in 1965 at the University of Colorado, Boulder where she was strongly influenced by her mentor, noted Avant garde composer George Crumb. She then moved to Cheyenne in 1965 and married Jim, also a music teacher. Lucy taught private piano lessons, composed, performed, and served as the organist for various Cheyenne churches.
Lucy was certified by the Music Teachers National Association as a Permanent Professional Certified Teacher of Music in Piano as well as holding a Professional Certificate in Piano and Composition. She served on committees of the Cheyenne Music Teachers Association, and was president in 1970 and 1989. A prolific composer, Lucy won the Artcore New Music Competition in 1991 with “A Prayer for Peace.” In 1992 she was awarded a Performing Arts Fellowship from the Wyoming Arts Council and received Honorable Mention in 2002 as well as other awards in 1995 and 1997. She was also a member of ASCAP and National Guild Piano Teachers.
Lucy found her spiritual home at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, where she was recognized for outstanding ministry in 2015 for organizing a multicultural speaker series. She was active in Chapter 7001 of the Daughters of the American Revolution, having recently received the Daughter's Choice Award in Music and provided music for a state conference. A childhood in the segregated South cemented her commitment to justice, which was reflected by her strong support of the Southern Poverty Law Center- in 2013 she and husband Jim were gold 5-star members.
A prompt green burial was held. All are welcome at a memorial service and informal reception in Cheyenne at St. Mark's Episcopal Church at 1908 Central Ave on Saturday July 16, 2016 at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Mark's Church or the Southern Poverty Law Center ( www.splcenter.org ). Online condolences may be posted at www.wrcfuneral.com .