Cynthia Woodard Perry

Cynthia Woodard Perry was quick-witted, well-read, never met a stranger, always up for an adventure, and brought the fun wherever she went. She was also tough as nails, beating cancer twice. Cynthia traveled to all seven continents, made the world’s best lemon meringue pie, was a gracious and generous host, a loyal friend, a nurturing caregiver, and was fully engaged in the world and its complexities until the end.

Her family will hold a celebration of Cynthia’s life officiated by Rev. Dr. Leslie King at First Presbyterian Church of Waco on Saturday, August 15 at 11:00 a.m. with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas or the Greater Waco Chamber’s LEAD program to honor Cynthia’s memory.

Born May 21, 1947 in Temple to Lanelle and Cleo Woodard, Cynthia and her younger brother Bruce grew up in Gatesville. She was a majorette at Gatesville High School when she met and fell for a redheaded boy named Bill Nesbitt. She earned a degree in education from Baylor University where she was a homecoming queen nominee. Cynthia and Bill married in 1967 and raised their three boys, Bill, Tom, and Joe, in Waco.

Cynthia was uniquely well-suited to raising three boys. She took their rambunctious behavior in stride, allowed them to be free range until they crossed a line (lines were crossed), drove them to innumerable sports practices and games, and responded calmly to broken bones and windows, speeding tickets, and missed curfews, among other stories she would have gladly told but won’t be mentioned here. She was immeasurably proud of them, both then and now, as well as of her three daughters-in-law who adored her.

Cynthia most delighted in her seven grandchildren, hosting them for Camp Cici, taking them on trips, attending their games and performances, and regaling them with stories of their fathers’ childhood adventures and misadventures. At recent family holidays, she taught them all how to play 42, poker, and mahjong.

In 2006, Cynthia married Ray Perry and they had 17 happy years of travels and adventures together until his death in 2023.

Cynthia taught at Oglesby and Parkdale elementary schools over the years and also volunteered her time to organizations important to her including Planned Parenthood of Central Texas, where she was board president; Meals on Wheels; First Presbyterian Church; Brazos River Festival; Junior League of Waco; and several PTAs, among others. Later, she worked at Lane’s where she enjoyed her co-workers and helping customers select gifts to celebrate important occasions. Cynthia’s life was enriched by many beloved friends with whom she enjoyed Birthday Club, Current Events Club, Lunch on the Run, Stitch and B*tch, bunco, and mahjong, as well as celebrating and bearing witness to the small and large events of each other’s lives.

Cynthia passed away peacefully on August 6. Among those who will remember her joyfully and miss her terribly include her three sons and their wives, Bill Nesbitt and his wife Sunita; Tom Nesbitt and his wife Nancy; and Joe Nesbitt and his wife Amanda. Also, her seven grandchildren Claudia, George, Joe, Martha, William, Lila, and Asha. In addition, her sister-in-law Dorothy Woodard and nephew and niece Bob Woodard and Carly van Beek and their families. Cynthia is preceded in death by her husband Ray Perry, brother Bruce Woodard, and her parents.

The family is grateful for the care of Dr. Solomon Woldu at UT Southwestern Medical Center, and more recently Dr. Jeffrey Perumean at Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Hospital along with the caring and skilled nursing staff. Special thanks to Beni Lupu for years of dedication to both Ray and Cynthia, and also to Anjelica Garcia for decades of service and friendship.

We invite you to leave a message or memory of Cynthia in her “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com.