Obituary

Alvin WoodardAugust 14, 1918 – April 1, 2005 Alvin Woodard, 86, was born in Clarence (Natchitoches Parish) Louisiana, the eleventh and last child of Thomas and Mary Gross Woodard. He served in World War II, 1942 – 1945, in the European Theater in General Patton’s Third Army, landing on Normandy Beachead the day after “D-Day.” After the war, he left Louisiana and moved to Seattle, Washington, along with his widowed mother and several other members of his family. Here he worked as a merchant seaman before settling into a lifetime career with Nelson Chevrolet Company. After retirement, he became a crossing guard for the Seattle School District. He took great pleasure and satisfaction in getting to know the children and making sure that all were safely crossed before he’d leave his post. At one time the Madrona Elementary School children and faculty asked him to be a guest speaker so that he could tell the children about his army experiences. He was married for a short time to Charlotte Pettus. He later married Alberta King, with whom he shared many years until her death in 1989. Having no children of his own, he was a devoted mentor to his nieces and nephews, all of whom treasured him and ….on him in return. He also helped his wife, Alberta raise her granddaughter, Alberta Renee King, for a number of years. Survivors include his brother, Robert Woodard; sister, Blanche Holland; sister-in-law, Bertha Woodard; nephews, Edward Beard and Robert C. Woodard; nieces, Willie Dee Prentice, Tommie Griffin Marsters, Gloria Gary; and numerous grandnephews and grandnieces along with granddaughter, Alberta R. King. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Henry, Louis and Thomas Woodard, Jr.; sisters, Birdia Chism, Beatrice Touchstone, and Lou Audrey Howard and infant brothers Willie and Johnny Woodard. Alvin was a devoted member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and enjoyed studying the Bible. He also enjoyed watching and supporting the Seattle sports teams, interacting with his family members (especially debating with his brother Robert), and chatting with the children at his crossing post. He had a wonderful sense of humor, loved laughter and enjoyed joking and making others laugh. He was spiritually strong and went peacefully, looking forward to being reunited with loved ones on that Great Day. Interment will be at the Greenwood Memorial Cemetery beside his wife, Alberta. His family members request that in lieu of flowers, please send any donation or contribution to the Maranatha Seventh Day Adventist Church in his memory. Funeral services entrusted to Dayspring & Fitch, F.H., will be held Friday, April 9 at 11:00 a.m. at Maranatha Seventh Day Adventist Church, 7132 43rd Avenue South in Seattle.