We are mourning the passing of a patriarch today. John Anthony Woodard Sr. (71) of Phil Campbell, Alabama has gone to be with The Lord. He passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 3, 2023. John was in the Army as a Hawk Missile Mechanic during the conflict in Korea at the DMZ. Because of his service, he will be buried with Military Honors at Corinth National Cemetery in Corinth, MS on Friday, December 8, 2023 at 11am.
John was born May 5, 1952 in Cortland, NY. Those that knew John knew that he loved playing his guitar and listening to old country music. He liked his old westerns especially John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. John was old school. He guided with that strong mentality and a firm hand but he was fair and loved his family. He will be remembered for always opening his home to stray kids that had no place safe to turn. That was a calling that he and Jannette shared for many years during their marriage. John softened in his later years following his wife passing.
John was married for 42 years to Jennette Hazel (Little) Woodard who passed away July 29, 2014. John and Jennette had 4 children: Rebecca (William) White of Lansing, NY, Randall (Kristina) Woodard of Phil Campbell, AL, John (Barbara) Woodard Jr of Lansing, NY, and Darlene Folden of Spring Lake, NC. John had 2 brothers Richard (Beverly) Woodard of Land O Lakes, FL, and Craig Woodard of Enterprise, AL. He also had a sister Sheryl (Thomas) Little of Fayetteville, NC. John had 14 grandchildren and had 8 great grandchildren. John is proceeded in death by his wife Jennette a sister Darlene, his parents Evelyn (Knapp) Emmons of Penn Yan, NY, and Richard (Dick) Woodard of Dundee, NY and a great grandson Kylan Bates of Leighton, AL. All of which will miss him dearly.
A very special thank you to Gentiva hospice. Specifically, we would like to thank his nurse, Jamie Stutts and his aid, Julia Concord. You both brought light to John’s eyes with every visit during his final weeks with us. As sad as it is to have him pass, we will forever be grateful for the time that you gave to him!
