Arloa Rae Woolford, 79 of Winnemucca, Nevada passed away on February 25, 2017 at her home. She was born January 23, 1938 in Elko, Nevada daughter of Wilbur (Tim) V. Timmons and Edna G (Wilkerson) Timmons of Midas, Nevada.
She graduated from Humboldt County High School in Winnemucca, Nevada and attended St. Mark’s School of Nursing and Westminster College in SLC, Utah for two years, transferring to UNR for one year. She also attended Valley College in Los Angeles for one year and took several special community college classes including Russian, Geology and various computer classes.
On April 23, 1960, she married Lynn James Woolford in Winnemucca, Nevada. They lived most of their married life in Canyon Country, California. For over 23 years, she traveled to locations throughout the world as part of a military project her husband was involved in. She worked for the U.S.A.F as the office administrator in Winnemucca (the radar systems), and later with the Department of Transportation in their Right of Way Division in Carson City. She also worked for the Flying Tiger Airlines in their power plant office maintaining the required FAA paperwork on all parts of each engine. From1965 until 1980, she remained at home raising three sons, but was active in community activities. She moved to back Winnemucca, Nevada in 1983 to manage several properties/duplexes and had a private road named after her parents “Timmons Way”. She and Lynn divorced in 1993. She went to work for Icarus Exploration Co. (now Grand Teton) as Mine Administrator for a small gold and silver operation in Northern Nevada in 1988. She remained their maintaining the property and continual monitoring for necessary environmental reports until 1996.
Arloa was very active in the community of Winnemucca and was voted Winnemucca Chamber Woman of the Year for 2 different years. She was very active in Women in Mining participating at both the National level and local level. She was very dedicated and had a deep passion to the Nevada Mining Association. She was a leader in the Education and Foundation Programs and was President of the Foundation from May 1993 until the time of her death. She was a member of the Nevada Mining Association Education Committee since 1989 and served most of those years as 6-8 Grade Coordinator. Arloa was also awarded the Women in Mining National Distinguished Award in 1995(given to a member who has gone above all duties to promote National Women in Mining and who has shown leadership in helping with educating their members as well as the public about mining and minerals and have promoted the industry in other ways). She played a huge part in the Nevada Mining Association and was awarded the National Mining Hall of Fame Prazen Award in 2014. Arloa travelled across the country promoting Mining and its importance and was a leader in their Education Programs. She did teacher workshops and taught school children about the numerous careers in mining. The Women in Mining Education Foundation was selected as the recipient of the 2013 Minerals Education Coalition Partnership while she was President of the Education Foundation. She has been a member of the Winnemucca Chapter Women in Mining since 1988 and served as Secretary, Treasurer, National Representative and 2 years as National Vice President. Since the WIM Education Foundation was formed, she organized and taught at regional and national science teacher conventions beginning in Las Vegas in 1993. This involved the planning, financing and logistics of organizing a workshop in whichever city the National Science Teacher Association had picked for their convention. She was instrumental in writing and printing a brochure on cyanide, “The Good, The Bad and The Truth”, that has been distributed to schools, businesses, libraries as well as Chamber of Commerce offices throughout the West. She further was responsible for the development of new hands-on activities for students including the “Minerals Through Geography” game that was copyrighted. She was also very active in the Nevada Mining Association, Nevada Eastern Star (Silver State Chapter No. 6 of Winnemucca affiliated with them in 1984) and Rainbow Programs International Order serving as Grand Deputy for this area for 10 years. She joined Eastern Star June 14, 1969 at Old West Chapter #642 in Newhall California. Arloa was involved in many activities in Winnemucca including the annual Mule Races, Rodeo and TriCounty Fair & Stampede. She served on the Regional Planning Commission for 4 years and the county Ag District Board for 5 years and the Rodeo Board from 1985-1989. Arloa was recognized in 1992 by Governor Bob Miller of Nevada as a leader in minerals education.
Arloa is survived by her three sons: Tim (Kathy) Woolford of Washoe Valley, Nevada, Al (Kathy) Woolford of Platteville,Wisconsin and Mark (Danielle) Woolford of Bakersfield, California. Arloa was active in their sport, school activities, and served for 3 years as treasurer for a large athletic organization as well as coach for their cross-country and track teams. She also volunteered in their schools. She is also survived by her 7 grandchildren: Jarod and Derek Woolford, Adrianne (fiance Matt Riley) and Kassondra Woolford (fiance Phil Burton), Chloe, Samual and Lucas Woolford. She is further survived by 3 great grandchildren: Allison, Landon and Tucker Riley. Arloa was proceeded in death by her parents Wilbur (Tim) V. Timmons and Edna G (Wilkerson).
A memorial service has tentatively been set for Saturday, June 10th in Winnemucca, Nevada. Arloa wished to be cremated.
Online condelences may be expressed to the family at www.sonomafuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established for an educational scholarship with Women in Mining.
Arloa loved educating people about Mining and how important Mining is. She was an avid San Francisco 49ers fan. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and was very dedicated to her community. When she could, Arloa would watch her grandchildren in their sports (soccer, motocross) and music events (concerts). She was an avid reader enjoying just about all types of books but especially historical novels. She also enjoyed working in her flower garden.
She will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
