Barbara Ruth Woodard

Age 88, passed away January 12, 2025, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was born May 26, 1936, in Gary, Indiana, to James and Louise Gardner. Barbara attended Michigan State University and worked in food service for 15 years after working at Gardner Middle School as a counselor. She was a former member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and current member of Abundant Grace Faith Church. Barbara was a former member of the Eastern Star and was an excellent cook and seamstress. She loved babies, crocheting, and decorating.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Woodard, I; her son, Ronald Stroder; and grandson, Aaron Woodard. She is survived by her children, Kim Woodard, Dawn Woodard, Charles (LaQuisha) Woodard, II; grandchildren, Ayesha, Ashley, Kevin (Meghan), Whitney (James), Elexis, Jalen, Juliene, DeMarco, Benjamin, and Devin; great-grandchildren, DaMoni, DaMaryie, London, Amara, Ahveonna, Liam, Jaylia, Peyton, Camille, Ailani, Autumn, Georgia, and Aziel; great-granddaughter, Eirynn; special niece, Saundra Kay Woodard; god-daughters, Zianne Middlebrook-Thomason and Ranjean Larkins.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 24, 2025, at Abundant Grace Faith Church, 5750 S. Cedar St., Lansing. Family hour will be from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church.
34 Messages to “Barbara Ruth Woodard”
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Dana Scott
January 15, 2025 at 6:42 pmAunt Barb you are loved and definitely will be missed! You kept me in stitches with your quick wit! You also gave me a lot of wise counseling.
Until we meet again,
Dana Scott
Tamara Thompson
January 15, 2025 at 6:52 pmI love you Mom. I’m so very glad I talked with you just days before your transition and on a regular basis. No more suffering you are now at peace. Kiss Dad and Nana for me. It’s not bye, it’s see you later. Always and forever, TamTam.
Joe and Tammie Hobbs
January 15, 2025 at 6:52 pmMy deepest condolences to you and your family.
Wilonda Murray
January 15, 2025 at 7:08 pmI am so sorry for your loss. I will be praying for your family.
Tameka Johnson
January 15, 2025 at 7:10 pmI love all of yall Aunt Barbara never skiipped a beat when she seen me ahe will definitely be missed Prayers to all of my family
Pastor Dr Anthony Davis Sr
January 15, 2025 at 7:34 pmMay the Love of God keep and cover you all during this time. Heaven called and she answered. We all await His call or coming. Treasure the memories and lesson of your mom and let her legacy live on through each of you.
Brian Embry
January 15, 2025 at 7:42 pmMy deepest condolences to you and your family. My Jehovah’s love bring you and your family comfort in these hard times.
Maxine Johnson
January 15, 2025 at 11:21 pmWith love and affection I remember Barbara being such a sweet, supportive and proud mom not just to her own children but to all the kids who were around her. LOVED & RESPECTED!!!
Prayers for Kim, Duckie, Chuck and your families may the Lord of comfort and peace be with you and help you through this very painful time. Try to find joy in your memories knowing that they’re resting in heaven.
Heartfelt, Mac
Deloris Bradley
January 16, 2025 at 12:37 amYou uplifted me during the hardest moments of my life while still pushing through yours. I’m grateful to have experienced you in my lifetime. I love you, forever my GG.
Erika Smith
January 16, 2025 at 12:44 amGrandma I will never forget you and thank you for accepting me into the family you loved me like your own told me off like your own I promise there is no other you and you will definitely be missed. Love you always Erika
Ashley Woodard
January 16, 2025 at 12:53 amI’ve spent my entire existence on this planet with you. I have so much to say but yes, a little is coming out. I miss you so much grandma more than I could ever express I’m grateful I got to spend all the time with you and could never ask for nothing more you lived a beautiful life raise beautiful children, grandchildren great grandchildren. my uncle Ronald was my smooth operator. That was the one of the smoothest people I’ve ever been around in my life. I used to call him Smooth operator lol how I’m gonna miss his smile in his laughs. I know he’s with his dad scared to see his mother again, Nephew family, etc. I love both of you dearly.
Zianne Thomason
January 16, 2025 at 1:51 amSending my most sincere condolences and prayers to the entire Woodard family. Mom Barb, will be greatly missed, my prayer partner and a woman of Faith and love for all, she never met a stranger but would make everyone feel welcome when you come to visit, a excellent cook and a wonderful grandmother. May the God of all comfort and peace give you comfort and strength during these difficult days ahead. RIH god mother, From Labor To Reward. Forever in my Heart.
god daughter Zianne Middlebrook-Thomason
Vanessa Sanders
January 16, 2025 at 7:11 amPraying for all family and friends. God bless.
April Aubrey
January 16, 2025 at 9:21 amSending My condolences to the family Mrs Barbara is a wonderful Beautiful person always sweet and smiling, you will be missed…
Marshawn
January 16, 2025 at 10:45 amThe times spent being around You GG was a very great time the things I’ve been going thru when nobody knew and me coming over to the house and you putting smiles on my face made me forget it all I love you a lot GG
Renee Woods
January 16, 2025 at 1:06 pmSending love family. Praying for all of you. She will be missed.
Sarah l Andrews
January 16, 2025 at 3:03 pmKIM, Heaven has Received an Angel, May the Good Shepherd bring You much Comfort in Your Coming hours if Need, UR MOM WILL BE Missed, Take Ur Rest Muss BarbaraU Deserve, Mych Love and Condolence & Prayers going up for Comfort and Peace. Love U Much as Always Ur COUSIN SARAH.
Christine Brown
January 16, 2025 at 6:39 pmAll I can remember was Aunt Barbara always kept it real with me I was not her niece but her other daughter whenever I would see her she embraced me with her words her smile and laughter I will hold her in my heart till I hold her in heaven she is gone but never forgotten my heart goes out to my cousin I’m here for you all we all are I speak for all Your cousins
Sherry
January 17, 2025 at 7:34 amI will never forget you Ma. Thank you for loving me the way you did. I’ll miss you and love you forever.
Sonya Anthony
January 17, 2025 at 8:17 amSending my sincere condolences and prayers to the entire Woodard family. Your mom was a beautiful soul with a great legacy. Her spirit will carry on through each of you.
Sharon Taylor
January 17, 2025 at 11:04 amMy sincerest condolences to you all! Barb was absolutely a beautiful and loving lady! She will indeed be missed! Love and Prayers.
Nancy Humphrey
January 17, 2025 at 11:55 amPraying for all of you during this time of loss. Barb was a beautiful, and God loving woman. Although, we here will mourn her loss, others are rejoicing her homecoming.
She is back home with family that has been waiting on her arrival.
She is remembered fondly.
Annette Howlett- Hill
January 17, 2025 at 12:45 pmAunt Barb I’ll cherish the memories that we shared. Especially when I attended Garner and you always looked out for me and my siblings. You’re were such a loving and beautiful inside out. Hug Mama for me. Y’all will be hanging out again in Heaven which fills my heart with joy. I love you. Rest In Paradise…
Barbara Gayle Stroder
January 18, 2025 at 1:47 amI am deeply saddened. Barbara and I go way back. When we all get to heaven, what a GREAT day that will be.
//Barbara Gayle Stroder, Gary IN.
Brenda Beatty
January 18, 2025 at 6:45 pmTO THE FAMILY: As you mourn the loss of your loved one. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. May the Heavenly Father bring comfort to you as only He can and minister to the hurt that only He can heal. He heals the brokenhearted, And binds up their wounds. -Psalm 147:3. RIH! Mrs. Barbara Ruth Woodard. WELL DONE!
Tamera Hill
January 18, 2025 at 7:45 pmFamily,
We are sending love, prayers and condolences from Battle Creek, Michigan.
The Hill, Morris and Hickman Family
Tanjaneka Peterson
January 19, 2025 at 8:37 pmGrandma, I love you I’m very lost for words. You’re one person that I felt should be here forever but as you say God knows what’s best. I wanna thank you for accepting us as your family. Tywezzy Kaleb&Khalil, Debra and I will truly miss you. Say something to me in a dream. To the Woodard Family I love you all stay blessed.
Your Grand daughter Tanjaneka Renee,
Sabrina Jackson Todd
January 23, 2025 at 5:04 pmI remember Ms. Barb as a very nice neighbor years ago. She called everyone “love”.
My sincerest sympathies to her family.
Elmer Phifer
January 23, 2025 at 6:00 pmMy Sincere Condolences to the entire Woodard family my thoughts and prayers are with you may the Good Lord uplift you forever
Larry Scott
January 23, 2025 at 7:46 pmOh Mom, I’m just hearing today about you going home. Saying “I love you and thank you” for everything you have done for me and the other kids in the neighborhood is just the beginning. Time to rest Mom, we will keep forward until we meet again. To the Woodard Family, I wish love and peace at this time.
Stephanie Ford
January 23, 2025 at 10:06 pmMy sincere condolences to Dawn, Kim, Chuckie, and the entire Woodard family. My thoughts and prayers are with you always. Mom is resting in the Lord. Mom I love you and will miss you dearly. You said you would be a godmother to me and you were just that, and more. Thank you for being there for me. Dawn, I thank God for letting me share Mom with you. I love you Sis. I pray your strength in the Lord.
Barbara Gayle Stroder
January 24, 2025 at 12:26 pmIndiana Relatives: Theodis Stroder, Barbara Gayle Stroder, Theodis Stroder Jr, Saadia Stroder Zambrano, LaMar Stroder, and Julia Stroder Mimis.
Rose Joann Stroder Myricks, Atlanta GA; and Roger Williams, Brinkley AR.
Melissa Williams
February 2, 2025 at 12:46 pmSo sorry of the loss of your Mom, just learned of this today 02/01/2025 @ 1246 pm.
Deron Johnson-Martinez
February 5, 2025 at 8:05 amLove you Granny, you raised a lot of us grown men and women and I am Forever Grateful. Give Wood a Hug for me !