05/28/2026
Elizabeth “Betty” Duty Snowden (Mrs. Woodford)
“Betty” was born two days before Christmas 1926 to the late Martha Chandler VanMeter and William Savage Duty in Wi******er, Kentucky. She was predeceased by her beloved parents, husband Woodford, brother and sister-in-law Bill and Phyllis Duty, and a host of special friends – many of them lifelong with whom she enjoyed travelling, socializing, and playing bridge - winning her last game a week before she passed. She is survived by her son, Woody; daughter-in-law, Robin; granddaughters Laura (Steven Sandman) of Louisville and Callie (Kevin Ryan) of Lexington; grandson Will (Shelby) of Clark County; and great-grandchildren Katie Clay Snowden; George Sandman; Woods Snowden; and her namesake Elizabeth Chandler “Ellie” Sandman. In addition to her immediate family she leaves behind beloved nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; the children of her dear friends; and a vast network of extended family. For nearly a century, she has led a remarkable life on two continents, called 5 states home, traveled the world, and expertly organized all sorts of people places, and things. She was generous, intelligent, thought-provoking, infuriating, capable, and an organizer extraordinaire…loyal to a fault, if you were hers - whether cousin, friend, or neighbor - she loved you fiercely (albeit sometimes imperfectly) and only ever wanted her version of the best for you. She embodied and lived the American Century, which seems to be setting as she herself has. A product of the Depression and WWII generation, she represented her country abroad at the height of the Cold War doing her bit to adeptly peddle American soft-power in an attempt to heal Europe after the rupture of war and economic collapse. She didn’t do so by wielding power on a grand scale, she did so through the gifts of hospitality and service at the grassroots level supporting her husband in his work in a then divided Germany. If there was a committee organized to get something done be it the Officer’s Wives Club, the PTA, or the German American Woman’s Club she was on it and serving in an executive capacity. Following her return home, upon her husband’s death in 1976, causes in her hometown, most especially her church, First Christian, felt her support. A believer in life-long learning and a lover of flowers, gardening, and flower arranging she remained an emerita member of both The Fortnightly and Bowl and Blossom Clubs. Betty was a proud alumna of Salem Academy in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and quick to tell you that it was founded in 1772 thereby making it the oldest educational institution for women in the United States. Upon graduation in 1944 she followed in her mother’s footsteps and attended Randolph Macon Women’s College in Lynchburg, Virginia. Deciding that the war being over might make a co-ed institution more interesting, she transferred back to the University of Kentucky, pledging Chi Omega and meeting her would be husband, Woodford. For health reasons, her parents thought it best for her to finish at Stetson University in Deland, Florida. Upon graduating in the spring of 1948 she married Woodford in August of that year. They made their home in New Smyrna Beach for the first ten years of their marriage before moving to Europe in 1958. During their time in New Smyrna, Betty taught middle school just south of town in Oak Hill. She was embraced by the sh*****ng community and became a much beloved teacher there. She believed in making the effort, in maintaining the bonds of friendship, and in respecting the dignity of those with whom she interacted. She passed away surrounded by her family, at the end of a long and fruitful life.In addition to her many friends and relations, her family would like to especially acknowledge and thank the outstanding staff at Rosemary Brooks Place in Wi******er and her two caregivers Natasha and Linda, who have made the difference during the course of these past months. In lieu of flowers please consider a gift in memory of Betty to the First Christian Church in Wi******er; the Clark County Public Library; or Hospice East. Or better yet, purchase some daffodil (or as she referred to them, jonquil) bulbs and plant a “drift” of them this fall to enjoy in perpetuity. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, June 22, at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd at 533 East Main Street in Lexington, Kentucky. A celebration of life reception will be held immediately following the service at the home of Woody and Robin Snowden. Rolan G. Taylor Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
