Harold Nathaniel Woodard, age 80, husband of Hester Bellafant Woodard, and a resident of Columbia, passed away Thursday, April 20, 2017 at his residence.
A homegoing celebration will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 2PM at Heritage Funeral Home with Bishop James Glenn Duke officiating. Burial will follow in the Garden of Freedom in Maury Memorial Gardens with full military honors provided by the United States Army. His body will lie in state on Friday, April 28, 2017 from 2-6PM at the funeral home. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Born on October 17, 1936 in Springfield, TN, Harold was the son of the late A.G. Woodard and the late Annie Hughie Woodard. He served 20 years in the United States Army where he worked as a Military Policeman, Guard and Watchman, and Drill Sergeant. He began his basic training in 1958 at Ft. Jackson in South Carolina, and was then stationed at Ft. McPherson in Atlanta, GA. He was later stationed in Germany and France and then transitioned to Ft. Lewis in Washington State and then to Ft. Dix in New Jersey. He served two tours in Vietnam and was also stationed at Ft. Ord in California, Panama Canal Zone, and retired on August 31, 1978 in Ft. Campbell Kentucky. During his career in the Army he earned the National Defense Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal W/60 Device, Vietnam Service Medal W/6 Campaign Stars, Combat Infantryman Badge, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Army Commendation Medal W/ “V” Device, Air Medal, Bronze Star Medal, three Oversea Service Bars, and the Good Conduct Medal.
Harold was a member of Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist and was married 58 years to Hester Woodard. Earlier in life he loved fishing. He also loved animals, and in his younger days worked at a veterinary clinic in Springfield, TN. He enjoyed watching old western and war movies and reading the Encyclopedia. When he was able, Harold also loved doing yard work and sitting on the front porch.
In addition to his wife, Hester, he is survived by his daughters: Rose Marie (Darryl) Robinson of Moreno Valley, CA, Aneita Denise Woodard of Columbia; brother: James Ervin (Labora) Woodard of Nashville; grandchildren: Shanekwa (Greg) Pruitt of Rota, Spain, Tomeka Moore of Murfreesboro, LaToya Robinson of Los Angeles, CA; devoted granddaughter: Tanesha Moore of Columbia; grandchildren: Darryl Robinson, Jr. of Moreno Valley, CA, Matavius Woodard of Columbia, Nigel Woodard of Murfreesboro, Latoria Lee of Franklin; Godson: Johnny Warfield of Columbia; great grandchildren: Antavea Collins, Adriel Watkins, Elaysia Walker, Noah Kelley, Carter Robinson, Bryson Scruggs; favorite cousin: Mildred Woodard of Springfield, TN; and devoted friends: Joseph Shyes, Henry Webster, and Rev. Johnny Williams.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his son: Harold Shean Woodard; brother: Joe Bonnie Woodard; and great grandchild: Jackson Pruitt.
Pallbearers will be: Johnny Warfield, Paul Smith, Johnny Moore, Jack Knowles, Greg Crawford, Joseph Shyes, and Jimmy Zachary. Honorary pallbearers will include: James Bellafant, Walter Bellafant, Pete Farmer, and Leslie Joe Farmer. Nieces and family friends will serve as flower girls.
