Claude D. Woodruff “Reg”, of New Market, VA, passed away the morning of January 1st, 2023,
alongside his companion Sandra Clatterbuck. He was born in Takoma Park, MD, January 22, 1942,
to Ruth and William Woodruff. As a young man he helped build the Woodruff retirement home in
Ida, VA where he lived with sister Jeannie until high school. His two older brothers, Bill and
George, already with families of their own, often visited. He was a graduate of Shenandoah Valley
Academy in New Market, Virginia, where he met many of his closest friends including Joni
Bennett, who he married in 1964. He graduated college from Columbia Union College with a
degree in business.
Reg had a successful and passionate career as an optician that took him all over Washington DC
and Maryland. He owned a number of optical shops in the DC area, fit contacts on babies at
Children’s Hospital and ultimately retired from Howard University where he was able to share his
skills and knowledge with a new generation of ophthalmologists. He leaves his children, Heidi
Jubb, Garth and Lani Woodruff as well as three grandchildren, Logan, Foster and Hudson. Their
family years were spent in the Annapolis, Maryland area as active members in the Bell Branch
SDA Church. Reg actively led out, singing and speaking whenever the opportunity arose. Here he
made his deepest life-long friendships, who like the SVA class of ’60, mourn with us today as
family.
He is remembered as an eternally positive loving man who would seek friendship, nurture
relationships, often putting others first while cooking you your favorite meal. And yet he still
found room for some harsh competition. Over Reg’s 80 years: golf, cards, racket sports, football
and softball often created the environment for those deep relationships who now find him
missing. Garth remembers him saying many times, “when I work - I work hard, when I play - I play
hard, when I sleep - I sleep hard”. That never changed.
Condolences can be sent to: 292 Clicks Ln., New Market, VA 22844. He was a current member of
the New Market Seventh-day Adventist Church. Any gifts of remembrance can be donated to:
Shenandoah Valley Academy, Reg Woodruff Memorial Gift, 234 W Lee Hwy, New Market, VA
22844
There will be an online memorial service. Details TBD.
Online condolences may be left at www.valleyfs.com
Arrangements by Heishman Funeral Home Inc., Valley Funeral Service Branch, Edinburg.