Rev. Dr. J. Richard (Dick) Woodward

Rev. Dr. J. Richard (Dick) Woodward, age 90, of Tallahassee, FL, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at his residence.

Born on August 21, 1935, to Leah Elva Woodard (later Woodward) and Joseph Brown in Coatesville, PA, Dick spent his formative years in Avondale, PA. He was raised by his mother, his grandfather, William H. Woodard, and his aunt, Grace Woodard. It was there that he dedicated his life to Christ at an early age at his home church, Mt. Tabor A.M.E. Zion.

Dick attended public school in Chester County, PA. After graduating from Avon Grove High School in 1954, he went on to serve in the United States Army for three years before being honorably discharged. He then earned his bachelor's degree from Livingstone College in Salisbury, NC, and later earned a master's degree in Counseling Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He studied divinity at Duke University. And in 1996, Dick earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

Over the years, Dick pastored churches throughout North Carolina and South Georgia, ranging from A.M.E. Zion to United Church of Christ to Presbyterian denominations. He later transitioned into missionary work that took him to Kenya and South Africa. As an educator, he was an academic counselor at Guilford College; he taught high school in North Carolina; and he taught middle school and retired as an elementary school principal in Jesup, GA. He was later elected to the Wayne County School Board at the age of 79, where he briefly served as president. Outside of academic counseling, Dick's social work extended into the greater community, where he was a member of community advocacy clubs and organizations. While still living in North Carolina, he served as the director of multiple group homes for transitioning and "at-risk" youth. When he and his family relocated to Jesup, he became director of the Wayne County Substance Abuse Center. In recent years, among his most notable affiliations were The Optimist Club, Wayne County NAACP, and Habitat for Homework.

Fun and funny; loving and strong; smart and humble; tender-hearted and kind; a selfless cheerleader and championship-caliber servant, Dick was an amazingly engaging and descriptive storyteller, a creative cook, a whittler and writer, and a wonderful musician, especially a singer. He was a constant source of good counsel, as well as entertainment and joy to his family and the community, especially to young people.

Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria J.Woodward, with whom he fell madly in love in 1968; two of his children, Marva Grace and David Wayne; and a number of siblings.

He leaves to cherish his memory his children, Thom J. Woodward (Gillian), Leah W. Wiley (David); his grandchildren, Bryan, Tanisha, David Jr., Tyrone, Mary, Jean, Elijah, Journey, and David Thomas; siblings; great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

A wake and viewing will be held on Friday, January 2, 2026 from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM at Jesup Presbyterian, 297 W. Brunswick Street, Jesup, Ga. 31546 A Praise & Worship Service to celebrate his life of service will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Bennett Union Missionary Baptist Church, 401 W. Pine Street, Jesup, GA. 31545

Interment will be in Jesup City Cemetery with military honors following the funeral services.

Funeral services will be live streamed thru our website: royalfuneralhomeinc.com

*We encourage everyone wishing to view the live stream at a later date to save it on their personal devices within the 30-day time frame of the service, as it will be deleted, and we will be unable to retrieve it after the 30-day time period.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made directly to Livingstone College in Salisbury, NC.

Arrangements are entrusted to Royal Funeral Home, Inc., Jesup, GA.