Earl Standridge “Stan” Woodard, 56, of Hayesville, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on Friday, May 11, 2018. And he sayeth unto them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19).
Stan was born Jan. 19, 1962, in Jacksonville, Fla., to Fred and Amelia (Standridge) Woodard. He was a resident of Clay County and metering department coordinator for Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corp.
Throughout a career that spanned more than 35 years, he was also a veteran and served his country honorably during Desert Storm, along with his brothers-in-law: Leroy, Merlin and David Ledford.
He was a devoted husband of 37 years to Teressa, beloved “Pops” to Josh, Christopher and Jeremiah, and a loving “Papaw” to Silas, Samuel, Hannah, Stewart, Sawyer and Brayden.
Stan was a gentle and kindhearted man of unwavering faith. With a compassionate smile upon his face, Stan was always willing to lend a humble helping hand to those in need and would unfailingly place the needs of others before his own.
He, along with his wife of 37 years, raised three boys to become men of great humility and integrity, along with the confidence that anything is possible if you remain faithful, humble, honest and determined.
Stan was an avid outdoorsman; his favorite times were spent boating on the lake, camping with his family, and fishing with his friends. In his younger days, Stan was a noteworthy golfer and first-rate water skier and knee-boarding expert.
But the most important part of Stan’s life was his dedication to his family – he absolutely adored his family, and nothing made him happier than to be with them, whether it be sitting by the bonfire in the backyard with his boys roasting meat on a stick and telling stories of adventures past, making elaborate smores while loving on his grandbabies or lying under the beautiful star-filled sky with his fifth-grade sweetheart in wonderment of the life that they had made together – so full of love and laughter.
And even with heavy hearts with the untimely passing of such an amazing man, Stan leaves behind a legacy for us all to cherish and live by: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). The faithful confidence and trust in the Lord and his plan, a feeling of trust and hope that only God can provide, and the knowledge of loved shared will live forever.
Stan is predeceased by his parents: Fred and Amelia Woodard, and leaves behind to cherish his memory: his loving wife Teressa. His beloved children: Josh (Megan), Christopher (Tonya) and Jeremiah (Katie). His precious grandbabies: Silas, Samuel, Hannah, Stewart, Sawyer and Brayden. His loving siblings: Cecilia Woodard, Brenda (Jim) Milton and Carol Lunsford, as well as a host of nieces, nephews and other loving family members and friends.
Please join us in celebrating the life of Stan Woodard at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at the Woodard residence, located at 754 Sawyer Cove Road in Hayesville. Casual attire is requested and be sure to bring a chair.
In lieu of flowers, the Woodard family has requested that donations be made in the honor of Stan Woodard to The Veterans of Foreign War, P.O. Box 927, Hiawassee, GA 30546. This non-profit organization is staffed by only volunteers, and 100 percent of the proceeds donated provide aid to our local veterans and their families through the following programs: Toys for Tots, Speech Scholarships, Bicycles for Children, Medical equipment and supplies, as well as utility assistance.
Cremation services were handled by Phoenix Funeral Services in Conyers, Ga.