MaryAnne Woodard, age 88, passed away on July 21, 2026, peacefully and held in the love of her family and the hope of her faith. Born on October 22, 1937, in Coldwater, Michigan, she lived a life marked by devotion, resilience, and a steadfast trust in her Savior.
A born-again Christian, MaryAnne carried her faith with quiet strength. It shaped her character, guided her decisions, and sustained her through the many challenges and joys of military life. Her relationship with Christ was deeply personal, and she lived it out through compassion, determination, and an unwavering sense of purpose.
MaryAnne spent her adult life as a career military wife and homemaker, roles she embraced with pride and steady independence. Alongside her husband, LTC Larry Woodard, she built a home that moved with her family across the world — from Michigan, Virginia, Texas, Alabama, Germany, and Georgia. No matter where the Army sent them, she created stability, warmth, and a sense of belonging.
As the wife of an Army officer, MaryAnne also carried the weight of raising her four young children on her own during Larry’s two separate year-long tours in Vietnam. Those were demanding years, yet she met them with courage, discipline, and unwavering devotion — providing her children with stability, guidance, and the strong, steady presence that defined her life.
She was also an accomplished seamstress, known for her skill, patience, and artistry. As the mother of teenage boys in Heidelberg, Germany, affectionately known as “Mom Woodard,” she put her sewing talents to work in a special way — sewing suit coats and dresses for her sons and their friends for proms and other special dances. Her sewing room became a hub of activity, filled with young people preparing for important moments in their lives. She also sewed the Heidelberg High School cheerleaders’ uniforms, and did the same for the girls of the junior league teams, ensuring they looked sharp, confident, and proud. Throughout her life, she continued sewing clothing and other handmade pieces, generously sharing her talents, teaching other women to sew, and encouraging them with the same confidence and independence she carried throughout her own life.
MaryAnne loved to travel, embracing every opportunity to see more of the world. She visited Hawaii, England, France, Holland, Austria, Occupied East and West Berlin, Chile, Mexico, and Canada, collecting memories and experiences she cherished deeply. Within the United States, she especially loved hitting the road with her husband Larry in their RV, exploring the country together for many years and finding joy in the freedom of the open road.
Christmas and Thanksgiving were always very special times of year for her, because they brought her family home to her. She worked tirelessly to make each holiday a meaningful and memorable celebration — cooking, preparing, organizing, and creating an atmosphere filled with warmth, joy, and togetherness. Her dedication made those gatherings cherished events that her family will remember forever.
Strong-willed and independent by nature, MaryAnne poured her energy into raising her four children — Kent Woodard, Scott Woodard, Kipp Woodard, and Susan Barth — instilling in them the same resilience and clarity of spirit that defined her own life.
MaryAnne was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Larry, who passed away on April 26, 2008. She was also preceded in death by her parents, William and Mildred Maurer, and her grandson, Adam Woodard.
She is survived by her sister, Sonya Jean Wilkins of Coldwater, Michigan, who shared a lifelong bond of family, memory, and devotion with her.
MaryAnne is also survived by her grandchildren: Amanda Woodard, Tony Woodard, Kristin Woodard- Dodgen, William Woodard, Sara Woodard-Currie, Benjamin Barth, Elise Barth-Warden, Nathan Barth, Calli Woodard-Thomason, and Aubri Woodard-MacQuinn.
In addition, MaryAnne leaves behind 25 great-grandchildren, with another on the way even now, a growing legacy that continues to expand with love, faith, and family connection.
She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly, each carrying their own memories of her kindness, encouragement, and steady presence.
MaryAnne leaves behind a family who will forever carry her faith, her steadfast love, and her enduring strength in their hearts. Her legacy is one of perseverance, devotion, creativity, and the quiet courage of a woman who lived life on her own terms — and in the grace of God.
