Helen Woodlief

Helen Marie Ray Woodlief, 88, passed away at her home on Wednesday, November 5,

2025. She was born in Wake Forest, NC to Coit Ray, Sr. and Helen Ray.

She graduated from Wake Forest High School and attended Mars Hill College. Helen

was a retired medical secretary at Duke University Medical Center for 33 years, with

many of those years working with Dr. Walter Wolfe. 

Her hobbies included being an avid reader and a master baker. She was an active member of 

Andrews Chapel United Methodist Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, David Ray Woodlief

and her brother, Coit Ray, Jr.

Surviving is her husband of 69 years, J. Curtis Woodlief; son, Blake Woodlief and wife,

Connie; daughters, Renee Woodlief Martin and Diane Woodlief Wallace; grandchildren,

David Martin, Kristin Martin, Stephanie Craycraft, Mckenzie Wallace, Kendall Wallace,

Shane Woodlief and Cody Woodlief and wife, Katie; great-grandchildren, Rayne Martin,

Destiny Craycraft, Quentin Craycraft, Harvey Woodlief and Ellie Woodlief; sister, Erma

Horldt and husband, Tim; brothers, Douglas Ray, Robert Ray and wife, Patricia, and

Tommy Ray and wife, Judy.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm Monday, November 10, 2025, at Bryan-Lee

Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC. Interment will follow at Brier

Creek Memorial Gardens, 7601 ACC Blvd., Raleigh, NC. The family will receive friends

at the funeral home from 11:30 am-1:00 pm Monday prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest that memorials be made to Andrews Chapel UMC,

Music Program, 6702 Leesville Road, Durham, NC 27703.