Anita Rae Woodward was born on February 24,1950 to Bill Woodward and Barbara Corley in Atlanta, GA. She passed from life surrounded by her loving family on August 25, 2023 at the age of 73.

Rae attended schools in Atlanta until she was 12 years old. She moved with her father and stepmother, Carol McAllister Woodward, from Atlanta, GA to Tulsa, OK, where Bill was promoted to a Vice President position for the Otasco Corporation.

It was in Tulsa, where Rae completed her Public High School Degree. Following high school Rae attended Oklahoma Baptist University to major in Education. While at OBU she was honored as the "Best Student in Spanish Language". Rae transferred her junior year to University of Tulsa to complete her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in May, 1972.

In January of 1970, Rae married Herbert Tanner and gave birth to Ryan William Tanner in April, 1974. She continued to teach 4th, 5th, and 6th grades in the Tulsa Public Schools.

During her teaching career of 19 years, Rae taught elementary grades in Tulsa, OK, Atlanta, GA, and Arlington, TX at the elementary level. During her years at Arlington Public Schools, Rae was selected as "Teacher of The Year" at Duff Elementary School. She was referred to as "Rae of Sunshine" by her fellow teachers as well as her many friends.

On June 13, 1981,Rae married James (Jim) Lewis at Matthew Memorial Methodist Church in Fort Worth, TX. Rae and Jim first met at a Singles Class at Asbury Methodist Church in Tulsa during early 1980. On October 27, 1982, Rae gave birth to Robert James Lewis in Tulsa. During their marriage, Jim, Rae, and Rob lived in Tulsa, OK, Atlanta, GA, Arlington, TX, and back to Tulsa to retire in the year 2006.

Surviving Rae following her death are her husband, James (Jim) Lewis, sons, Ryan William Tanner and Robert James Lewis, daughter- in-law, Jenna Tanner, sisters, Connie Buckley, Rebecka Rhodes, brother-in-law, Wes Rhodes, stepmother, Carol Woodward, several aunts and cousins in Georgia and Louisiana, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. The surviving grandchildren are Raegan, Mazie, Avery, and Brady.

Rae was preceded in death by her father, William (Bill) Woodward, mother, Barbara Corley McFall, and her three brothers, Richard Brown, Fred Brown, and Steve Brown.

Viewing 12Noon-8PM, Wednesday, August 30, 2023 with family greeting friends from 6-8PM, both at Moore's Southlawn, 9350 E. 51st, Tulsa, OK. Funeral Service will be 10:30 A.M., Thursday, August 31, 2023 at Moore's Southlawn Chapel. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233